Exceeding Standards: Responding to Ontario’s New Kindergarten Curriculum

The Ontario Ministry of Education recently announced significant revisions to the Kindergarten curriculum for the 2026–27 academic year. These changes, designed to strengthen foundational skills in literacy, mathematics, and science, represent the province’s response to declining EQAO scores and the need to better prepare young learners for future academic success.

We conducted a thorough review of Hudson’s kindergarten programs against these new standards. The results? Our existing curriculum not only meets but consistently exceeds every new expectation set by the Ministry.

Understanding the Changes

The revised Ontario curriculum introduces several key updates:

• A restructured framework moving from “frames” to “strands”
• Evidence-based, systematic literacy instruction
• Enhanced mathematical foundations
• Introduction of coding concepts
• Emphasis on scientific inquiry and engineering design

These changes reflect current educational research on how young children learn best. For many schools across Ontario, implementing these updates will require significant program overhauls.

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Our Differentiators

What sets Hudson College apart is that we’ve been implementing these best practices for years. Our Kindergarten program was designed from its inception to provide the strong foundational skills that the Ministry is now mandating province-wide. Beyond curriculum, we’re also noted for:‍

Small classes: Our JK and SK teachers work with a maximum of 16 students, in an 8-day teaching cycle that includes individual conferences and smaller group meetings to ensure continuous monitoring of each child’s progress.

Individualized support: Differentiated instruction, one-on-one support, close progress monitoring, detailed Learner Profiles that follow students to the next grade, and regular parent communication ensure that every child receives the help they need to progress.

Reggio-inspired learning: Our program draws from the renowned Reggio Emilia approach, which views children as capable, curious learners. This philosophy aligns perfectly with the Ministry’s new emphasis on inquiry-based learning and student agency.

The Saxon Math advantage: Our mathematics program uses Saxon’s spiral curriculum, where concepts are introduced, practiced, and revisited throughout the year. This approach ensures deep understanding and long-term retention – addressing the exact concerns that prompted the Ministry’s curriculum revision.

Integrated learning: Rather than teaching subjects in isolation, our program integrates learning across disciplines. A study of butterflies, for example, incorporates:

• Science (life cycles, habitats)
• Mathematics (counting, graphing, patterns)
• Language (vocabulary, writing observations, reading non-fiction)
• Art (detailed drawings, colour mixing)

Parent Partnership: We maintain strong home-school connections through:

• Three detailed report cards per year (compared to two in public schools)
• Regular communication about student progress
• Parent-teacher conferences
• Detailed documentation of learning through portfolios and Seesaw

Proven results: Our students consistently score above grade level on the Canadian Test of Basic Skills (CTBS), with SK students typically completing the year reading at or above Grade 1 level according to Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA).

Comparing Curriculum

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Looking Ahead to September

We’re in a great place! Hudson students in Junior and Senior Kindergarten:

• Consistently read at or above grade level
• Demonstrate strong number sense and problem-solving abilities
• Show curiosity and enthusiasm for learning
• Work collaboratively with peers
• Express themselves confidently in writing and speaking
• Approach challenges with resilience and creativity

As Ontario schools prepare to implement these new curriculum standards in 2026, Hudson families can rest easy that their children are already receiving an education that surpasses provincial requirements. Beyond preparing children for Grade 1, our program builds the foundation for a lifetime of learning, critical thinking, and academic success.

The Ministry’s recognition that stronger foundational skills are essential validates the approach Hudson has taken all along. We’re proud to be ahead of the curve, and we remain committed to providing the highest quality early childhood education possible.

–Rose Bastien, Lower School Principal

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Interested in learning more about Hudson’s exceptional JK and SK program? Schedule a tour and see our approach to early learning in action.