Nova Scotia Creating 1,500 New Child Care Spaces By The End Of 2022

The increase is part of the Federal Government’s $10 a-day national child care plan

By: Charlotte Hui

Today, Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development, joined Becky Druhan, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, at East Preston Day Care, announcing additional support for those with young families.

The province will create 1,500 new licensed child care spaces by December 31, 2022, making more room for child health services in the province. Of the 1,500 Spaces, 1,250 will go to nonprofit centers, and the remaining amount will get distributed among seven family-based childcare facilities.

Under the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the Canadian government expects to create 9,500 new licensed childcare spaces in Nova Scotia.

Gould and Druhan also announced that Nova Scotia is offering a 25% reduction in child care fees starting in January. By the end of the year, families with children in licensed Child Care will receive an additional 25% reduction and achieve an average of $10-a-day child care by March 31, 2026.

“Every child deserves the best start in life. These additional licensed child care spaces will allow more Nova Scotia children and families across the province to access high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care,” Said Gould.

The federal government will provide $625 million for an infrastructure fund for early childhood health and learning over the next four years to support Canada’s child health system. At the same time, the Canada-Nova Scotia Early Learning and Child Care Extension Agreement will provide $58 million over the same four years to support the childhood workforce.