Nova Scotia to Expand Family Home Day Care

Nova Scotia families will soon have more access to day care in private homes and those homes will be better regulated.

Community Services Minister Judy Streatch announced today, May 3, more than $22 million is being invested in monitored family home day care. The program is voluntary and will provide home day care providers access to professional support that enhance their services.

"Family home day care is a key initiative of our Early Learning and Child Care Plan," said Ms. Streatch. "This provides another option to Nova Scotia families and will help increase day care spaces, particularly in rural areas of our province."

Family home day care providers will be managed and monitored by agencies that are licensed and funded by the Department of Community Services. A family home day care agency will regularly visit the family home day care provider to ensure that government standards for quality programs and safety are met.

Additional benefits for family home day care providers include, professional development and training, reduced isolation through interaction with other care providers, administrative support, access to resources, materials and equipment, and participation in play groups.

Approved family home day care providers may care for a maximum of eight school-aged children or six children under 12, subject to certain regulations for children under 3 years of age.

More information is available on the Early Learning and Child Care plan website at www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/elcc.html.