Nanaimo school district is working on a plan to implement full-day kindergarten in some schools next fall.

The province plans to offer full-day kindergarten in up to 50 per cent of B.C. schools – the first phase of offering the program in all public schools.

School districts were asked to submit a plan by Nov. 1 outlining how they could implement a full-day kindergarten program.

One condition is that schools selected already have appropriate space, as Phase 1 does not include any money for renovations or new space.

Chris Southwick, assistant superintendent, said staff are identifying schools ready to offer the program based on certain criteria, including available space and teachers, and the number of vulnerable students in the school.

More than 20 of the district’s 29 schools offering kindergarten have the space to offer a full-day program and staff will be prioritizing schools with the highest percentage of vulnerable children.

“We need to make sure the kids who need it most get it first,” said Southwick.

Southwick said all-day kindergarten would offer children the advantage of consistent learning outcomes defined by school curriculum and the supervision of education professionals. The curriculum would be based on educational play activities.

“There’s so many concepts you learn through play,” she said. “We know that that’s how children learn best.”

Southwick and other staff working on the report met with principals and vice-principals last week and with kindergarten teachers this week.

The district also has eight StrongStart Early Learning Centres, which are being factored into the plan.

reporter@nanaimobulletin.com