Province Invests $10 Million in Child Care

The Nova Scotia government is investing $10 million to help create more day-care spaces around the province and provide more families with affordable, quality child care.

Community Services Minister Judy Streatch announced today, Sept. 19, an $8-million investment to create 550 more child-care spaces across the province. As well, a new Energy Upgrade Grant will provide another $2 million to day cares to make energy-efficiency improvements.

"We are committed o helping the families of this province access quality child care that is affordable and available," said Ms. Streatch. "The $8-million investment in the Child Care Centre Expansion Loan program will help 16 child-care centres access the capital they need to expand and accommodate more spaces and programs."

The Early Learning and Child Care Plan committed to creating 1,000 child-care spaces. The additional 550 spaces bring the total created through the plan to about 1,050, exceeding the province's commitment.

Ms. Streatch presented a cheque for more than $700,000 to the Chester and Area Family Resource Centre, one of the 16 expansion loan recipients. The funding will help the centre build a new facility for the community's children.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for the Chester and Area Family Resource Centre and the families we serve," said Becky Scott, executive director of Chester and Area Family Resource Centre. "We are very excited to get started on our new building and provide a safe and inviting place for our children and families."

The loans are available to full- and part-day licensed commercial or non-profit child-care centres, and family home day-care agencies. The funding can be used to replace existing facilities or to help with the costs of adding more child-care spaces.

To offer more access to licensed child care to families that qualify, 50 portable subsidized spaces will be created. The spaces meet the province's commitment to create 550 subsidized spaces under the Early Learning and Child Care Plan, two years ahead of schedule.

A subsidized portable space belongs to the child, so that a family moving to a different area can take the subsidized space with them.

As well, to help combat rising energy prices, Ms. Streatch announced the creation of a new Energy Upgrade Grant to help improve energy efficiency at licenced child-care facilities and family home day-care agencies. The funding can be used to enhance and replace energy-related equipment, such as insulation, Energy Star appliances, water heaters and windows.

"We are earmarking $2 million of this $10-million investment to help child-care facilities lower their energy costs," said Ms. Streatch. "Child-care centres will be able to re-direct energy savings to what matters most -- caring for our province's children."

The program will provide one-time grants of up to $5,000 for nearly 400 child care centres and family home day-care agencies provincewide.

Funding for the expansion loans, Energy Upgrade Grants and additional child-care spaces is provided through Nova Scotia's 10-year Early Learning and Child Care Plan. The $200-million plan is funded by both the federal and provincial governments.

More information on the Early Learning and Child Care Plan is available on the Early Learning and Child Care Plan page.