Kindergarten Program

The Ontario “big” school curriculum is brought to Inuit families strengthening a commitment to strong Inuit identity, culture and values.

Sixteen children in the class with an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board kindergarten teacher and an OICC Inuit cultural teacher.

“…This is important for our Inuit and will pay dividends in the future.”
“…he has learned self-esteem, he is willing to try and try again until he is satisfied with his achievement.”

Activities:

• Inuit culture becomes part of the Ontario school system’s ABC’s
• Play-based learning becomes the basis for learning about literacy and numeracy
• With a small class size there is more opportunity and attention for skills building for each child
• Regular visits to ‘big’ school

Highlights:

• The pilot Kindergarten program becomes a national success story
• French language is taught to children, as well as Inuktitut and English
• Services are strengthened with OCDSB expertise partnered with OICC cultural knowledge

Funders

Public Health Agency of Canada
City of Ottawa, Child Care Services
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

For more information, call Bea Alvarez, ext. 213 – balvarez@ottawainuitchildrens.com

Link to our Kindergarten teachers’ biographies