CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM PREKINDERGARTEN EXPANSION

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz today visited St. Theresa Prekindergarten program, one of the 38 Prekindergarten programs in the province to receive new funding in 2008-09.

"Our government recognizes the importance of providing vulnerable children with high quality learning opportunities in their early years," Krawetz said. "That is why we have invested an additional $2 million dollars this year in Prekindergarten to increase the number of programs by 38, bringing the total number in the province to 193, serving more than 3,000 children. With this expansion, approximately 600 additional children and their families will benefit from a Prekindergarten experience during these critical years when the foundations for future learning and success are built."

St. Theresa's Prekindergarten provides a morning and afternoon program to three and four-year-old children. The Prekindergarten opened in September 2008.

"Prekindergarten focuses on providing an enriched learning program for three and four-year-old children and engaging families in school and their child's learning and development," Krawetz said. "They help give preschool children extra attention so they will be prepared to take advantage of their future educational opportunities."

"There are phenomenal changes in the students from the time they start in the Prekindergarten program to time they finish," St. Theresa Prekindergarten teacher Chantel Johnson said. "The students develop problem-solving skills, they learn to explore the world around them and they begin to communicate more with one another."

Studies have indicated some of the short term benefits of Prekindergarten programs include: improved intellectual development; increased social skills; improved health; and higher self-esteem. Long term benefits include: a lower rate of juvenile crime; fewer teen pregnancies; and less failed grades and/or school drop-outs.

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For more information, contact:

Jacquie Mclean
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: jacquie.mclean@gov.sk.ca