New Child-Care Spaces in Southwest Nova Scotia

Families looking for child care in southwest Nova Scotia will see more than 150 new spaces in licensed centres and family homes thanks to provincial and federal funding.

They are part of the Province’s expansion plan to add more licensed child-care spaces across Nova Scotia.

“Improving access to affordable child care for Nova Scotia families is a top priority for this government,” said Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie and MLA for Argyle, on behalf of Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Becky Druhan. “As we make child care more affordable, the demand will grow, so we are working hard to increase spaces to meet that demand. Adding French-speaking spaces is particularly important to Acadian and francophone families, as it contributes to the continued vibrancy of our language and culture.”

Le Jardin des Petits in Tusket, Yarmouth County has already opened five new toddler and five new preschool spaces. It will also be expanding to a new location in Wedgeport, Yarmouth County by fall 2024, with a total of about 11 toddler and 11 preschool spaces.

Little People’s Place on St. Andrews Lane in Shelburne has opened four new infant spaces and expanded with a new location on King Street with 16 preschool spaces and 16 school-age spaces.

Three family home agencies – La Garderie Familiale de Clare in Digby County, Lil Jems serving Digby, Yarmouth County and Shelburne, and Home Away from Home serving Yarmouth County and Shelburne – have added more than 10 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:

• La P'tite Academie, Church Point, Digby County – about 24 new spaces (infant, toddler, preschool, school age); fall
• Learning Grove’s new location at Tideview Terrace Long-Term Care Home, Digby – about 10 new spaces (toddlers, preschool); fall
• The Fox and The Hare Daycare, Lockeport – about 10 new preschool spaces; fall

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 Southwest Nova Scotia the best possible start in life and make life more affordable for families.”

– Jenna Sudds, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“No one should have to choose between high-quality, inclusive child care and affordability. Through our expansion, we are able to accommodate more children to give families the chance to give their children the very best start in life and for that we thank you.”

– Krista Spinney, Director, Le Jardin des Petits, Yarmouth County

“I like that my children have access to quality child care at a reasonable price. The Jardin des Petits made the transition back to work so much easier for the whole family. The early childhood educators create a positive environment for young children to learn and grow, which promotes independence and social skills – without forgetting that services are offered in French for Acadians and francophone Nova Scotians!”

– Francine MacIsaac, Board of Directors President and parent, Le Jardin des Petits, Yarmouth County

Quick Facts:

• 24 before and after school spaces for school-age children were added in the tri-county region 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/

More information about the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement is available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/early-learning-child-care-agreement/agreements-provinces-territories/nova-scotia-canada-wide-2021.html

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

NOTE: This release was updated on August 10, 2023 to reflect the correct opening date of Le Jardin des Petits in Tusket, Yarmouth County.