Funding to Increase Licensed Child-care Spaces

More access to licensed child care is on the way for Nova Scotia families, with a $6-million investment to expand spaces across the province.

"Through the Early Learning and Child Care Plan we are providing financial assistance to help the sector create more licensed child care," said Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services today, April 17. "The investment will help develop about 250 spaces. Along with last May's $4-million investment, we have provided funding to create 750 of the 1,000 spaces that we committed to for Nova Scotia parents."

The province created a 10-year Early Learning and Child Care Plan, worth almost $200-million, with a vision to provide a quality, affordable and inclusive environment for children.

The child-care centre expansion and replacement loan program is available to full- and part-day licensed commercial or non-profit child-care centres, and family home agencies. The funding is intended to help replace facilities that may not be able to continue to host child-care services and to expand facilities to increase the number of 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 June 16.

More information is available at: www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/ELCCProgram.html .