Our Early Years program at Keewatin-Patricia prioritizes supporting our youngest learners. Kindergarten classrooms and our partnership with Kenora District Services Board childcare programs are the heart of the programs supporting our youngest learners. Both our kindergarten and childcare programs focus on providing a solid foundation for all children to be successful throughout their educational careers, and beyond. Our kindergarten classrooms provide rich learning opportunities in literacy and numeracy throughout the day. These experiences align with each child’s individual development and consider the social and emotional needs of the child. The program is intended to meet each child where they are in their learning journey and provide experiences and support that will enable all children to move along their path, at their pace. New to our kindergarten classrooms is the addition of explicit instruction in foundational literacy skills. We have incorporated evidence-based teaching practices and resources into our literacy programming with the goal of all our students reaching all their milestones and their full potential.
Our kindergarten educators are the leaders in the classrooms. As dedicated, passionate staff, their priority is to foster the curiosity, creativity, and capability of each child. The teacher and early childhood educator team work together to guide learning through authentic, hands-on opportunities accessible and engaging to all students. Children have the opportunity to take their learning outside the classroom and connect with the land and nature and reap the benefits of the fresh air and sunlight. Careful consideration is put into all areas of teaching and learning to ensure we offer an experience that is supportive, relevant, and responsive to the physical, emotional, social, and cultural needs of all our children.
Our partnership with childcare providers throughout the region is strong. Together, we can create environments conducive to where the children are in their learning and development and provide a smooth transition from the childcare setting to the school system. As educators, we collaborate, learn together, and share best practices. This united approach to our children enables our efforts to stay focused on the whole child. Keewatin-Patricia is grateful for the opportunity to work closely with our childcare providers to fully support and provide service to our families throughout the district.
In addition to English programs in all our elementary schools, we also offer French Immersion kindergarten programs at Valleyview Public School in Kenora and New Prospect Public School in Dryden. Children enrolled in these programs are immersed in the French language 100% of their classroom day, beginning in the first year of the program. This rich language environment provides children with a solid foundation in their second language while complementing the growth of their English language skills.
