June 2, 1999.
To:Economic Development and Parks Committee
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject:High Five Program, Quality Assurance in Children's Recreation and Sport Programs- All Wards
Purpose:
The Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) High Five Quality Assurance Program is a complete package designed to train
part-time recreation staff in healthy child development as a basis for recreation programming for children 6 to 12 years of
age and to provide full-time recreation staff with a reliable and valid recreation program assessment tool (QUEST Tool)
that will eventually measure the quality of Toronto's children's recreation programs against provincial norms.
Source of Funds:
Toronto Parks and Recreation Division will use 1999 staff training budgets to the High Five Quality Assurance Program.
PRO has subsidized the costs of Toronto Parks and Recreation High Five Trainer Development and training course
materials in the 1999 demonstration phase of High Five implementation.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1.this report be received for information.
Background:
Across the City of Toronto, Parks and Recreation offers 54,000 children's programs in 97 community centres, 90 indoor
pools, 211 outdoor wading pools and 60 skating rinks. Hundreds and thousands of children between 6-12 years of age
participate in these programs. Through recreation, children acquire self esteem, physical skills, opportunities for self
expression, social interaction, cooperation, teamwork and friendship. All children shall be entitled to participate in
recreation and leisure activities in the form of play, creative expression, and skill development opportunities. All children
must be given the opportunity to grow and develop into healthy and confident citizens.
The High Five Program was developed by Parks and Recreation Ontario to ensure that program leaders provide children
with the attention and support that they each need to grow and develop as healthy children. The High Five Program is
setting new standards of excellence for recreation and sport programs that parents want for their children. It is a complete
package to assure quality children's recreation programs.
Comments:
Toronto Parks and Recreation Division has made a commitment to quality assurance through the (PRO) High Five
Program. Children come first in our programs. High Five has been designed to promote their safety, well-being and healthy
development.
Toronto Parks and Recreation Division will implement the High Five Quality Assurance Program with approximately
2,000 recreation leaders in 1999 and 2,000 leaders in 2000. The Division will also implement the QUEST Tool recreation
program assessment in 10% of children's recreation programs in 1999 and 10% in 2000.
Conclusion:
High Five is a consistent quality assurance assessment tool to be used province-wide with established norms. It has been
thoroughly researched and tested. The assessment tool produces reliable and valid results. High Five Program packages
training and program assessments into one complete framework.
Contact Name:
Kathy Wiele
392-8184
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
