The director of education for the Southeast Cornerstone School Division, Don Rempel, provided additional background information to the pre-Kindergarten programming announcement. "The school division recognizes that many parents are happy with the program we currently operate in partnership with Family Place, and our schools look forward to working with parents to create an environment in our school base settings that is responsive to the needs of the whole child and to their families."

The division is refreshing all of its existing and new pre-kindergartens with new materials based on creating an age-appropriate environment based on the most recent educational research to create high quality learning environments.

With the most recent increase of 38 programs, the Ministry of Education will support 13 programs across the province by September 2008. All but eight of these programs are operated by school divisions. These eight are in northern Saskatchewan where the school divisions are in partnership with Aboriginal Head Start sites.

"It should be noted that the recent provincial announcement of 32 new spaces in Weyburn are in addition to the education grant and school division tuition that has been in place to support the programming for pre-kindergarten at Family Place," said Rempel. "Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the only funding being directed to schools is Education's portion of funding providing support to pre-kindergarten programming, of which it is the school divisions who are accountable."

"Most school divisions find that it is advantageous to have the programs in schools," said Rempel. "Primarily to increase children's access to additional professional supports and help the children and families become familiar with the school. In addition, schools benefit by getting to know the children and families earlier than Kindergarten and this helps everyone develop positive relationships and enhances communications."

The Ministry of Education pre-kindergarten guidelines include qualified teacher and assistant, high quality programming, family engagement and continuous evaluation and improvement. Rempel said the South East Cornerstone school division works closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure the pre-kindergarten programs are of high quality and that the staff provide a caring and enriched learning environment.

"The school division is committed to ongoing professional development and research into the most effective early childhood practices," said Rempel. "Pre-kindergarten teachers from the southeast area recently toured pre-kindergarten programs in Regina and found it extremely helpful."

The pre-kindergarten program includes engaging family activities and parent information sessions. These depend on parent interests and are scheduled so that most families are able to attend. "An important component of all pre-kindergarten programs is helping both children and families feel a sense of belonging and ownership in the program," said Rempel. "The school divisions will be exploring the best ways to ensure parents have a voice in their child's learning and will establish both formal and informal communication processes."

Parent concerns around providing care to three and four year olds, educator to child ratios, service to early entrance special education students, transportation and nutrition will be addressed with the parents of children attending the preschool in the fall. The school division will have flexible means to accommodate child circumstances and needs and will strive to provide for the parents' voice in their child's learning.

"The school division has attempted to communicate these messages to parents and our partners in the community and look forward to meeting with parents in the near future," said Rempel. "Of course no one will argue the success of our partnership with Family Place and many will have a hard time supporting a change until they are able to understand the benefits to the community and, in time, experience it through the eyes of their child."

If parents currently attending the Mini Go School have any suggestions as to how the school division can help alleviate fears and concerns, they are encouraged to contact Don Rempel, director of education for Cornerstone School Division.