Jack McDonald-Garrity is excited to begin full-time kindergarten at Jefferson Elementary next week.

His mom Shannon says she was hesitant at first about the prospect of all-day school for her talkative 5-year-old. But an informational parent meeting last spring put her worries at bay.

"They had it all planned out," she said Monday. "It was really reassuring to me."

McDonald-Garrity is among nearly 540 kindergartners who begin their schooling in the Helena School District on Aug. 30. Among those incoming students, Superintendent Bruce Messinger anticipates only about 2 percent of students will go half days.

All-day kindergarten was funded by the 2007 Legislature to pay for any students who attend for a full day; however, districts are not required to offer full-time kindergarten. Previously, the state would only pay half the per-student rate for kindergarten students even in districts that offered a full-time program.

State Superintendent of Schools Linda McCulloch pushed for the funding stating that, nationwide, Montana lags behind in a movement toward full-time kindergarten. She testified at the Capitol earlier this year that about 63 percent of kindergartners nationwide were attending full-time, while Montana sat only at 29 percent.

While the funding is new, the all-day program is not. Both Helena and East Helena school districts have offered full-time kindergarten in recent years.

In 2004, East Helena implemented full-day kindergarten classes every other day. The following year a full-day, everyday program was offered with a fee system. It filled quickly. Last year the district provided seven sections of kindergarten with only two being every other day; the other five were full days five days a week.

Joe McMahon, Eastgate Elementary principal, is a big supporter of full-time kindergarten and relentlessly testified during the last legislative session.

"I'm extremely pleased," he said about the state funding the program. "We've been waiting for it to happen for a number of years as we've seen great returns and results."

This year about 120 kindergartners are expected in East Helena, with only eight students opting for half days, McMahon said Monday.

Three of Helena's 11 elementary schools offered full-time kindergarten last year -- Bryant, Broadwater and Warren. Next week, all 11 elementary schools will offer kindergarten full time.

Helena School District received $522,624 in start-up costs, which has been used to purchase tables, chairs, supplies and training for teachers, Messinger said.

However, the district is saving some money for unforeseen needs because there is no time limit on spending the funds. Messinger says the district's plan over several years will be to review the curriculum, offer support for staff and have money available to pay for needs beyond what initially was thought needed.

All buildings have reorganized to accommodate the additional classroom space and the district has hired about 10 new classroom teachers and seven paraprofessionals. The district will likely hire more paraprofessionals after school begins, Messinger said.

Kindergarten students will now be exposed to social studies and science and go deeper into math and science. They'll also have music, physical education and library time, subjects there just was no time for previously with half-day schedules.

Kindergarten teacher LeeAnn Berry is as excited as most 5-year-olds for school to begin next week. She has taught kindergarten, first and third grades at Hawthorne Elementary, and this year she'll have kindergarten students for the entire day.

She spent the past several weeks unpacking boxes, sorting supplies, decorating her room and admiring the entire room filled will brand-new furniture.

"It's the first time ever (for new furniture) and it feels so good," Berry said.

She has been a proponent of full-time kindergarten because with half days she is too rushed to fit in everything.

"It's going to be wonderful to have a more of a laid-back day," she said. "There will be more time for socialization and learning. It gives us as teachers an opportunity to be sure they are ready for first grade."