Pedagogy and Learning Environment in a Franco-Ontarian Child Care Centre

Abstract

In order to succeed in French First Language (FFL) schools, students must have a working knowledge of French. For many Anglophone and Allophone students, the journey toward official bilingualism through FFL schooling begins in FFL child care centres. The programs offered in these centres were designed to foster the linguistic and literacy development of Franco-Ontarian children before they enter the FFL L-6 school system (CLR-Net, 2009; Government of Canada, 1982, 2008 & 2012; Ministère de l'éducation, 2004; Ontario MEO, 2005). This paper investigates whether éducatrices in FFL child care centres can meet all children’s French needs and, if so, how?