There could soon be more opportunities for youngsters to get a jump start on elementary school, with the possibility for kindergarten to be expanded.

School trustee Barry Neufeld, who represents the Chilliwack School District on the B.C. School Trustees Association (BCSTA), updated his colleagues Tuesday during their last board meeting of the school year about the possibility of changes to early years education.

"Our government's really interested in early learning," he said.

The BCSTA website notes the provincial government in its most recent throne speech committed to study the possibility of providing free full-day kindergarten for five-year-olds as well as offering the choice of a full-day pre-kindergarten program to parents for their four-year-olds by 2010 and for three-year-olds by 2012.

The province is commissioning the Early Childhood Learning Agency to review all research on the possibility of expanded kindergarten, examine its cost implications, and gather views and opinions from people.

"They're interested in direct feedback," Neufeld added.

He said anyone with comments can send them to him or to the School District No. 33 office. These will go to the BCSTA, which will submit them as part of the study.

Source: canada.com