Spaces are still available to enroll in full-day kindergarten, set to launch in nearly two dozen schools across the Tri-Cities in September.

The Ministry of Education allotted 887 spaces in the new program to School District 43. The original plan was to divide those spaces among 20 schools this fall. However, assistant superintendent Dan Derpak said last week three additional schools will now be added to the list: Ranch Park, Pleasantside and Pinetree Way elementaries.

As well, additional spaces have been added at Mountain View, Westwood and Moody elementaries due to increased enrollment.

Assistant superintendent Maureen Dockendorf outlined how schools were selected to launch the first phase of full-day classes.

“It was directed by the ministry to ensure that those schools were schools where no daycare, no preschool, no early childhood programs would be displaced,” Dockendorf told trustees last week.

“Secondly, we worked really hard to make sure that there was no school programming that was going to be displaced this year.

“Thirdly, we took a look at what neighbourhoods we could establish full-day care to really ensure that we gave additional support to vulnerable families. That was our original criteria.”

Ministry-designed modular units will house the program at several schools that don’t have enough room, Dockendorf added.

“We are very excited to tell you they are fully equipped with miniature toilets, lights, bathrooms, and it will just be an exciting place to be,” she said.

District 43 announced in January that full-day kindergarten will also be available this September at Alderson, Baker Drive, Birchland, Cape Horn, Cedar Drive, Central, Coquitlam River, James Park, Kilmer, Mary Hill, Meadowbrook, Miller Park, Nestor, Rochester (English program only), Roy Stibbs, Seaview and Walton elementaries.

In September 2011, the program will expand and full-day kindergarten will be available to all five-year-olds across the province.