Interim Report

 

Ad Hoc Committee for (pre) Junior Kindergarten

 

And

 

Before and After School Programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 30th, 2002

 

 

To        : Facilities Committee

From   : Alice Ann Tangelder

  Claire Griffioen

JK and Before and After School Programs

 

1.0  Introduction

 

The Ad Hoc Committee for JK and After-School Programs was established from the Strategic Planning Initiative that took place in spring of 2002 at LHCS.  The purpose of this committee is too determine from the membership the desire for JK and after school programs.  This was achieved through surveys and researching present programs in other OACS communities as well as looking at public and private schools. 

 

 

2.0  Survey

 

The following is the survey that was distributed to the membership:

 

LHCS Survey for Junior Kindergarten Programming and Before/After School Programs

 

1.) Junior kindergarten would be a valuable program to be offered at LHCS

 

Strongly Agree                           No Opinion                                    Strongly Disagree

 


1             2             3             4             5            6           7           8         9          10

 

2.) My children attend(ed) Junior Kindergarten or pre-school programming at another facility

 


                              YES                NO

 

3.) What do you feel would be an appropriate time slot for a Junior Kindergarten Program-if one was to be offered (circle)

 

5 half days                    3 half days                   2 full days                       other_________

 

4.) I would be willing to pay for my child to attend Christian Junior kindergarten or pre-school programs

 


                              YES                NO

 

5.) My children currently take part in after school programs (in people’s homes or formally organized eg. YMCA, with crafts, activities etc.)                   

 


                              YES                NO

 

6.) Offering a formal before/after school program at LHCS would be beneficial

 

Strongly Agree                           No Opinion                                    Strongly Disagree

 


1             2             3             4             5            6           7           8         9          10

 

Please add any comments or suggestions with regards to Pre Senior Kindergarten programming or before/after school programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The response to the survey represented 42% of the membership. 

 

 

3.0  JK Results

 

It was found from the survey that the membership would highly favour a JK program.  The overall result scored 3.4 on a scale of ten (where 1 represents Strongly Agree with and JK program and 10 is Strongly Disagree). 

 

61% of the survey responses stated that their children attended a JK or pre-school program at another facility (public or private). 

 

The majority of responses stated that they would be willing to pay for JK at a Christian school.  This was also reflected in the comments, which stated that they would prefer to have their children at LHCS.

 

There were a wide variety of responses in terms of what people would prefer for scheduling of a JK program. Thirty-five of the responses indicated that they preferred a half day program (3 or 5 days) where 19 responses preferred 2 full days (not all surveys were fully completed so this is not a total of all surveys returned). 

 

The following comments revealed people’s desires for this program:

 

  • JK is now a solid part of Ontario's education system and any long range LHCS expansion planning should reflect this reality.  Consistency in elementary education is KEY, we need to attract children as soon as they are ready to enter the school system.
  • I prefer co-operative preschool type programs where parents assist once a month.  Each day there would be 1 teacher, 2 parents, 16 children
  • My kids attended Christian JK at another school, it was great
  • My 2 children attended preschool for 2 years prior to attending Kindergarten at LHCS. I would be happier knowing that I was paying for them at LHCS than another school.
  • A DAYCARE facility at the school would be beneficial to parents of students who have little ones as well as the outlying community.  Volunteers could also use it.  It would be a great "seed" for potential families to become members one the children get to school age.  What a witness as well!
  • I would pay a small amount for JK, I currently pay $50-$100 a month

 

The following are two negative comments that were received with the surveys:

·        JK is glorified babysitting, mums should have 4 yr olds for 1 more year

·        Transportation is not a priority for LHCS so do not bother

 

4.0    Results of Before and After School Programs

 

The general opinion of the membership highly favours a Before/After school program. The overall result scored 3.7 on a scale of ten even though few people have children enrolled in before and after school programs elsewhere at this time.  Many of the comments reflected the need for an organized program.  The following are some of the comments that were received:

 

  • I would love to see an after school program run.  It is very difficult to find a decent job that finishes before 3:00p.m.
  • If an after school program could be coordinated with a chess or game club or science club etc., I think that would be ideal.  Also if there would be an opportunity to use the after school program on an occasional basis as well, that would be useful to many and allow the children to stay in one place for one day.
  • I've had a lot of people ask me about after school programs.  I think it would be a real asset.  I know other 2 Christina schools that have it.  It would make it a lot easier for parents.

 

5.0  Recommendations for JK

 

Based on the survey results a JK program should be instituted at LHCS.  Presently 41 OACS schools offer a JK program.  Our findings have found that there are two types of programs being offered to 4 year olds.  One is a theme-based program that involves two half days/week that is led by a non-certified teacher (i.e. Joy School Strathroy). These programs were initially intended as an outreach program to the community.  The other model is more of a Ministry led curriculum where students are taught reading readiness etc.  This is taught by a certified teacher and involves three to five half days a week.   The common consensus is that half days are BEST for this age group.  The Waterloo region public and separate schools as well as other private schools in the area have established JK programs.  It should be remembered that JK is an optional program in the public and separate school boards.

 

One private school in Waterloo offers parents an alternative of three OR five half day/week programs, which gives parents the flexibility to decide what is appropriate for their children. 

 

Our research also revealed that JK requires a dedicated space for optimal programming and learning.  Start building!

 

 

6.0  Recommendations for Before/After School Programs

 

Based on the survey results a formal before/after school program should be offered at LHCS.  There are two possible approaches to providing after school programming at LHCS. One model would be to contract these services to a provider such as the YMCA (After School Antics) or Conestoga College.  They offer a formal program of activities geared to the appropriate age group.  The other model is to organize our own program within LHCS, hiring the services of a qualified leader.  Comments were made that programs such as science club, or chess/games club could be incorporated into these programs.  Although not many OACS schools currently offer these programs it seems to be a desire of the membership. 

 

 

 

7.0  Future Directions

 

From various comments from the survey the issue of daycare/pre-school arose.  It is our intention to survey the community with specific questions regarding this issue. 

 

A final recommendation regarding implementation of a JK program will be given in December. As well, further investigation into before/after school programs will be done to make final recommendations on these programs.