2023/24 Ready, Set, Learn (RSL) Terms of Agreement
Group 1 and Group 2 schools as defined in the Independent School Act that offer kindergarten programs are eligible to apply for RSL Funding (the Funds):
- Group 1 schools are eligible for a maximum of $1,225
- Group 2 schools are eligible for a maximum of $858
If the school's application is approved, the Ministry of Education (the Province) will initiate funding payments in two installments as follows:
- 70% of the full amount of the Funds after Sepetember 30, 2023
- 30% of the full amount of the Funds after April 1, 2024
- The school will use the Funds to design RSL/kindergarten transition events or activities. The school may use the Funds for events/activities that are based on the philosophy of or concepts within the BC Early Learning Framework that emphasize play, inquiry, and experiential discovery.
- Event(s) may include:
- A tour of the school or visits to classrooms
- Play activities for the children (e.g. interactive stations)
- Interactive activities for the children and their parents
- Information sessions for parents
- Presentations or displays
- Visits to the school library for story time
- Engagement of the school’s older students to act as tour guides and ambassadors
- Applications for local public library cards
- Professional development opportunities for educators
- Health education (physical literacy, socioemotional development, dental hygiene information, hearing/dental/vision screening, food/nutrition workshops, etc.)
- Specialist services (school psychologist, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language services, etc.)
- The school may use the Funds to:
- Release teachers to plan and carry out the event(s) and complete the evaluations
- Advertise or promote the event(s)
- Offer refreshments to families
- Purchase materials to help children learn letters and numbers
- Purchase storybooks
- Purchase craft and learning materials to support activity stations
- Provide transportation for families living in remote areas to help them get to the event(s)
- Provide honoraria to guest speakers sharing their expertise with parents, e.g. early childhood development information
- Provide supervised activities for children while the parents/caregivers are in separate information sessions
- Cover other appropriate costs of the event(s)
- The school will advertise and promote its RSL event(s).
- If there are RSL funds remaining after the school delivers the event(s), these funds can be used for school-based early learning initiatives, as it deems appropriate.
- The Evaluation Form for Independent School Administrators will be completed and submitted to the Ministry of Education on or before June 1, 2024.
- Failure to submit an Evaluation Form for Independent School Administrators on or before the deadline will result in the Province recovering 100% of the Funds from the school.
- The school will repay the Funds to the Province if the school withdraws from hosting a RSL event. Such amount is considered a debt to the Province.