Funding to Increase Licensed Child Care Spaces

Nova Scotia families will soon have more access to licensed child care with a $10-million investment to expand spaces across the province.

"When we consulted over 2,600 Nova Scotians about child care, we consistently heard that families need more access to licensed child-care spaces," said Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services. "The expansion loan program will help families access more quality care for their children."

The expansion loan program is available to full- and part-day licensed commercial or non-profit child-care centres, and family home agencies. The program provides funding support to expand facilities or to help with the costs of adding new child-care spaces.

Non-profit child care centres are eligible for a 75 per cent forgivable loan, with the remaining 25 per cent provided through an equity contribution or a low-interest repayable loan from the Department of Community Services. Commercial centres are eligible for a 25 per cent forgivable loan, with the remaining 75 per cent provided through an equity contribution, third-party funding, or a low-interest repayable loan from the department.

Applications must be received by the Department of Community Services by Wednesday, Aug. 1.

The funding is being provided under Nova Scotia's Early Learning and Child Care Plan. More information is available at: www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/elcc.html.