New Child-care Centre will Benefit Families in Spryfield

A new child-care centre in Spryfield is providing children and families in the community with the support they need to help get the best possible start in life.

Premier Darrell Dexter and Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse joined children, families, staff and officials from the YWCA Halifax and YWCA Canada today, May 30, to celebrate the official opening of the new YWCA Halifax Spryfield Child-Care Centre.

"Child care is an issue for many families these days," said Premier Dexter. "Parents are telling us that they need better and more affordable access to child care and we're listening. Supporting this new centre improves access to child care and increases support for families to ensure each and every child gets the best possible start in life."

Nicole Boutilier's daughter Quinn is enrolled at the YWCA Early Learning Centre. She said the new centre, which opened in December, has made life a lot easier.

"Our family was in need of finding the right fit for our 18-month-old daughter," said Ms. Boutilier. "I truly believe in the centre's commitment to provide the level of quality care that any parent expects for their child. I am so relieved to have quality care in my neighbourhood, so I can return to work and my daughter can get the best start in life."

The province invested almost $1.4 million to build the new centre, which is licensed to care for 70 children age six months to five years old. It also created 12 new jobs in the community.

"We know that the best way to make Nova Scotia a better place for all of us is to invest early and wisely in our children," said Ms. Peterson-Rafuse. "Child-care centres are far more than babysitting facilities. We know that the early years of a child's life are vitally important in shaping that child's future. "Centres like this one are staffed by professionals who help establish the building blocks for life-long learning and the province is pleased to be able to partner with the YWCA on this important project."

Tanis Crosby, executive director of the YWCA Halifax, said the organization's mandate is to respond to the critical needs of women, girls and families in the community, which includes providing much-needed child care.

"With the province's support, we're opening new doors for children to learn and grow, and for families to thrive," said Ms. Crosby. "It's a great feeling to be able to help people in this way, which will in turn help build a stronger community for all of us."

Since 2009, the province has made significant investments in children and families, including creating more than 1,800 new child-care spaces and investing more than $171 million in child care through expansion and renovation loans, opportunities for professional development and early childhood education training, child care subsidies, and grants to support salaries and operations costs.

In April, the province announced that it will establish three early years centres across the province that will provide support for young children and their families at accessible locations in the community. The province is also setting up a program for comprehensive screening of children at 18 and 36 months to identify a child's needs early and ensure supports are in place when the child starts school.

This year the province also created the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, which includes an early years branch of early childhood development experts from the departments of Community Services, Health and Wellness, and Education. The specialized team is designed to enhance collaboration, strengthen expertise and expand knowledge on early years.

The YWCA Halifax was founded in 1874, and builds economic security, promotes wellness and creates opportunities for women, girls and families by providing a strong voice and integrated services.