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Full-day kindergarten is setting kids up for success in grade one. That’s according to a study conducted by the provincial government in partnership with Queen’s and McMaster Universities.

Compared to children who had half-day kindergarten, kids with two years of full-day classes showed better social competence development, language and cognitive development as well as improved communication skills and general knowledge.

McMaster University Professor Magdalena Janus says: “The children appear to be more competent, especially in language and cognative areas, especially the very first year that they participate in the full-day program. But they also did much better in communication skills and they did much better in social competence. And the social competence area is the one that can compensate for things like approaches to learning, the ability to work beside other children. Interact with other children in a way that’s socially appropriate. So this is a really excellent result so far.”

Ontario’s Education Minister Liz Sandals went on to say:   “These results clearly demonstrate that the early year investments we are making are important for children now and in the future. Students who are enrolled in FDK, are better prepared to enter grade one and be more successful in school.”

The Ontario government has promised to have full-day kindergarten available to all students by September 2014, but some school boards such as Halton and Peel have said they’ll have trouble making that timeline.