Child Care Centre Funding for Repairs, Renovations

Forty-five Nova Scotia child care centres are getting about $1.3-million in funding from the Department of Community Services to help them repair or renovate facilities.

Non-profit and commercial centres will use the loans for improvements, including new windows, installing accessibility ramps and adding energy-efficient furnaces.

"We're helping child-care centres make their facilities safer and more comfortable," said Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Minister of Community Services. "Improving the places where many Nova Scotia children learn and play benefits families, children and child-care professionals."

Provided under the Nova Scotia Early Learning and Child Care Plan, the funding gives child-care centres financial assistance to improve their properties.

"Wolfville Children's Centre is so excited to receive this funding," said Laurie St. Amour, the centre's executive director. "Our building needs updating to make it more energy efficient and comfortable for children and staff. We'll be using this funding to replace windows and insulate the roof."

Non-profit centres are eligible for a 75 per cent forgivable loan and can either pay the remaining 25 per cent or apply for a low-interest repayable loan from the department.

Commercial centres are eligible for a 25 per cent forgivable loan. They can pay the remaining 75 per cent, use third-party funding, or apply for a low-interest repayable loan from the department.

A list of child-care centres receiving repair and renovation loans is available online at www.gov.ns.ca/coms .

The Department of Community Services has provided almost $3.2 million to 129 day cares throughout the province over the last three years to help with repairs and renovations.

The Early Learning and Child Care Plan has added more child-care spaces, increased the number of available child-care subsidies, and provided support for the child-care sector.