Minister Encouraged with Child Care Discussions

COMMUNITY SERVICES--Minister Encouraged with Child Care Discussions

Community Services Minister David Morse said he is encouraged that children will benefit from recent discussions around a new national initiative on early learning and child care.

"Child care is critical to the well-being and development of children and families," said Mr. Morse. "We have laid a solid foundation for an agreement that has tremendous potential to advance Nova Scotia's child care and early learning programs."

Mr. Morse made his comments following the federal-provincial- territorial meeting of ministers responsible for social services in Ottawa, Nov. 1-2.

During the meeting ministers discussed principles that would create a foundation for a new child care agreement, with a focus on developing long-term goals for a national child care program. It was recognized that any agreement must be flexible in order to meet the needs of each province.

"Nova Scotian families have benefitted from earlier federal- provincial agreements in these areas, so these discussions are building on an already successful partnership," said Mr. Morse. "As we move toward finalizing a new agreement, we can anticipate a significant increase in funding that will have a major impact on the quality and accessibility of child care programs in Nova Scotia."

Future talks on finalizing an agreement and funding details will take place in early 2005.