More Child-Care Spaces for Annapolis Valley, South Shore
The Province is providing $5.3 million to support three child-care operators to add more than 200 new spaces in the Annapolis Valley and on the South Shore. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
Families in the Annapolis Valley and on the South Shore will have more options and improved access to child care.
The Province is providing $5.3 million to support three child-care operators to add more than 200 new spaces.
“Our government is helping more Nova Scotian families find affordable child care in their communities,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “Investments in child care are investments in families to participate in the workforce and grow our economy.”
The funding recipients are:
- Dare to Dream, New Minas; 78 new spaces
- Coldbrook YMCA, Coldbrook; 62 new spaces
- Small World Learning Centre, Bridgewater; 86 new spaces.
The new Dare to Dream and Coldbrook YMCA centres are expected to open in the fall. The Small World Learning Centre is a second location for an existing operator and is expected to open in 2026.
The Province is also increasing available funding under the Early Learning and Child Care Minor Infrastructure Program to $1 million per project to help create more child-care spaces throughout Nova Scotia, an increase from $250,000.
Quotes:
“Parents should not have to break the bank or put their careers on pause to find quality, affordable child care in Canada. Today’s announcement in Nova Scotia is opening 200 more child-care spaces, saving thousands in child-care costs every year and giving families the flexibility they deserve.”
— Steven MacKinnon, federal Minister of Jobs and Families
“The YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia is proud to have this opportunity to create new child-care spaces for the Coldbrook community with support from the provincial govern-ment and the property owner, Parsons Investments. The YMCA is well known for creating healthy, play-based learning environments for children and educators alike. We are eager to get started establishing a new centre and building strong relationships with children, families, educators and the local community. We have seen first-hand the posi-tive impact of affordable, high-quality licensed child care and believe all children and families across Nova Scotia should have what they need to achieve their best start and thrive.”
— Yvonne Smith, CEO, YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia
Quick Facts:
- this funding is through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
- since 2021, more than 6,500 new child care spaces have been created across the province through the agreement
- Nova Scotia has signed five-year extensions to the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and the Canada-Nova Scotia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, worth more than $1 billion total
- funding provided to Nova Scotia will increase by three per cent every year for four years, starting in 2027-2028, ensuring that the early learning and child-care system remains sustainable over the duration of the agreements, while also providing flexibility for Nova Scotia to respond to inflationary pressures
Additional Info:
More information about child care in Nova Scotia: https://www.childcarenovascotia.ca/
Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement: https://www.canada.ca/en/early-learning-child-care-agreement/agreements-provinces-territories/nova-scotia-canada-wide-2021.html