More Child-Care Spaces for Kings County
The Province announced $2.5 million for the purchase and expansion of a child-care centre in Auburn, Kings County today, June 9, on Early Childhood Educator Day. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
Families in Kings County will have more access to child care with the expansion of a centre in Auburn.
The Province is providing $2.5 million to the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education to purchase and expand the Stepping Stone Preschool and Childcare Centre. The college is adding 42 new spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and they are expected to be available next spring.
“The demand for child-care spaces in Kings County continues to grow,” said Chris Palmer, MLA for Kings West, on behalf of Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “This investment will add more child-care spaces in our community as well as provide practicum opportunities for future childhood educators.”
Today, June 9, also marks Early Childhood Educator Day in Nova Scotia. It is an opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals who play a vital role in shaping children’s early experiences that form the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.
Quotes:
“Together, our governments are making child care more affordable for families across Nova Scotia. These new child-care spaces in Kings County will make a big difference, saving families thousands in child-care costs.”
— Patty Hajdu, federal Minister of Jobs and Families
“The Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education is very pleased to continue our partnership with the provincial and federal governments. Thanks to the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, we have been able to add over 170 full-time, high-quality child-care spaces across the province with half located in rural Nova Scotia.”
— Joe Malek, President and CEO, Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education
“I am so thankful and grateful for everyone involved in this project for their dedication, hard work and commitment to families and children in our community and surrounding communities.”
— Margo Thomas, owner, Stepping Stone Preschool and Childcare Centre
Quick Facts:
- this is the 11th project announced under the Department’s major infrastructure program
- funding is through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
- since 2021, more than 7,000 new child care spaces have been created across the province
- Nova Scotia has signed a five-year extension 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
- the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education provides child care for 350 children across the province and has more than 200 students currently enrolled in early childhood educator and early childhood assistant programs
Additional Resources:
More information about child care in Nova Scotia and creating new spaces is at: https://www.childcarenovascotia.ca/