Children will thrive with all-day kindergarten

With four decades of working in education under my belt, I have seen my share of public education initiatives succeed and a few others fail.

With all my years of experience, I can say without a doubt there is one initiative that may be the most powerful educational tool we can give our youngest learners as they embark on their educational journey. That initiative is all-day kindergarten.

The program was implemented in my previous two school districts and I had the chance to see firsthand the positive outcomes for all students.

Our own community will soon have the chance to see for itself as the Indian Prairie Unit District 204 board of education has approved all-day kindergarten beginning next fall at each elementary school.

In August, our district began to pilot an all-day at-risk kindergarten program at four of our schools and the data has shown our students are thriving. But make no mistake, the benefit of all-day kindergarten is not just for at-risk students.

We are fortunate to live in a community where, for the most part, our youngest learners enter school prepared to learn. They are eager to hear new ideas and try new things. Some of these prepared learners need to reach beyond the regular curriculum.

The current half-day program simply does not provide enrichment time for students who would benefit from deeper curriculum opportunities. All-day kindergarten provides enrichment time for our brightest learners as well as extra instruction time for those who need it most. It allows us to meet the needs of students at both ends of the spectrum.

All-day kindergarten is not a new concept. In Illinois, 61 percent of school districts currently offer this program. Research on how a student responds both academically and socially is plentiful.

It shows that full-day kindergarten programs enhance a student's self-confidence and independence. Children in full-day kindergarten make significantly higher progress in learning and social skills.

Academically, there is a positive relationship between full-day kindergarten and first grade academic performance.

The bottom line is that all-day kindergarten is a developmentally appropriate program that gives students tools to succeed academically and socially.

Our staff is currently finalizing the all-day curriculum and is excited about the possibilities of what can be added to the kindergarten program. At a time when young children are filled with wonder and excitement over learning, it is satisfying to be able to nourish their hunger for knowledge.

In addition to the benefits to students, the program is a benefit to taxpayers. Funding for the program will come from state revenue, with startup costs recovered within three years.

The district anticipates receiving an additional $2 million in state funds over expenses each year.

We are planning informational meetings at each school so parents will have the opportunity to learn about the program and get answers to questions they may have about all-day kindergarten.

During the registration period, parents will have the opportunity to enroll in either the current half-day program, which will still be offered, or the full-day program.