New Child-Care Spaces in Northern Nova Scotia

Families looking for child care in northern Nova Scotia will see more than 300 new spaces in licensed centres and family homes thanks to provincial and federal funding.

They are part of the 1,500 new, licensed child-care spaces the Province plans to create across Nova Scotia.

“Nova Scotian children deserve a quality early childhood education, and families deserve access to affordable and reliable child care,” said Premier Tim Houston. “We are committed to transforming the delivery of child care in our province so more families can benefit.”

The YMCA of Pictou County is completing renovations to a new child-care centre that is scheduled to open this fall with room for about 50 infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

The YMCA of Cumberland County has opened a new centre at Oxford Regional Education Centre with 18 spaces for toddlers and preschoolers, and Lower Onslow Preschool has added 20 new spaces for toddlers and preschoolers.

Jane Norman College in Truro has already opened 12 new toddler spaces and will be adding about 10 new infant spaces this spring. The college is also expanding to a new location on Douglas Street in Truro and will open a total of about 34 infant, toddler and preschool spaces there this spring.

Three family home agencies – Family Home Child Care Society in Pictou, Jane Norman College Family Home Child Care Agency in Truro and East Hants Family Home Child Care Agency – have also expanded. They have added about 17 new homes with space for three to nine children at each location. The agencies are continuing to work to add more family homes.

Other planned expansions in the area and their expected openings include:

• YMCA of Cape Breton at Chedebucto Education Centre, Guysborough – about 26 new spaces (infant and toddler); fall
• YMCA of Cumberland County, Pugwash – about 42 new spaces (infant, toddler, preschool); fall
• YWCA, Tatamagouche – about 28 new spaces (infant, toddler, preschool); fall
• Maritime Muslim Academy, Antigonish – about 24 new preschool spaces; winter.

The investment in these expansions is about $6.4 million, through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026.

Quotes:

“We are delivering on our commitment to increase access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care for families. These new child-care spaces will help give children in northern Nova Scotia the best start in life and make life more affordable for families.”

– Karina Gould, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“YMCAs across Nova Scotia have been working collaboratively to support child-care expansion. As the largest provider of licensed child care in the province, we know there is a significant need for accessible, affordable and inclusive child care. Through our expansion, the YMCA can help even more families access quality child care that supports their child’s growth and well-being. We look forward to working in partnership with the government to continue to develop solutions for the child-care system.”

– Tammy Goodwin, CEO and Executive Director, YMCA of Pictou County

“Our experience with the Y has been incredible. We feel like the Y is our extended family. We feel comfortable leaving our boys at the best facility in the county, knowing they will learn something new every day and explore their world to the fullest of their abilities and beyond!”

– Becket Ross, YMCA of Pictou County Child Care Centre parent

“I love jumping into the pool and swimming like this ‘swim, swim, swim’ with my friends. I love my teachers every day.”

– Kaiden, child at YMCA of Pictou County Child Care Centre

Quick Facts:

• 216 before and after school spaces for school-age children were added in northern Nova Scotia last year to provide a seamless day of care for young children; planning is underway for hundreds more across the province
• in 2022, Nova Scotia reduced parent fees for child care by 50 per cent on average and is on track to achieve $10 a day on average by 2026
• Nova Scotia has increased its investment in early learning and child care by $83 million, for a total investment of $277 million in 2023
• through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026, the Government of Canada is contributing $605 million over five years for early learning and child care in the province

Additional Resources:

More information on early learning and child care is available at:
https://childcarenovascotia.ca/

To receive regular updates about child care in Nova Scotia via newsletter: https://childcarenovascotia.ca/latest-news

For information on child care centres and family home agencies by community: https://nsbr-online-services.novascotia.ca/DCSOnline/ECDS/loadSearchPage.action