EXCERPTS
As part of the Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, our province is starting a five-year journey to build a system of child care that is affordable, inclusive, and accessible.
Our vision is child care that cares for everyone – children, families, operators, and early childhood educators.
New Child Care Spaces
An increase in licensed child care spaces means more child care options for families that are high-quality, affordable and offer peace of mind. The province is creating 1,500 new licensed child care spaces across Nova Scotia through renovations to existing sites and at new sites. The new spaces may include infant, toddler and preschool spaces.
How it works: 25 per cent fee reduction
The April 1 fee reduction is the first step in increasing the affordability of child care for Nova Scotian families as part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. After April 1, fee reductions will be applied directly to child care bills.
Eligibility
Starting April 1, child care centres who signed a funding agreement with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) will deduct 25 per cent, on average, from their daily fee. EECD will provide full funding to all licensed, funded centres to cover these reductions.
Retroactive Fee Reduction Payment (January 1 – March 31, 2022)
Funding will be provided directly to licensed, funded centres before the end of April 2022, who will then work with families to determine if they would like a credit or reimbursement for fees paid between January 1 and March 31. Reimbursement will be passed on to families by the end of May 2022.
Child Care Subsidy
Families that receive support from the Province’s Child Care Subsidy Program will continue to receive subsidy coverage in addition to the fee reduction. Please reach out to your caseworker or child care centre if you have any concerns.
Centres that are ineligible
All licensed child care operators were offered an updated 2022-23 annual Funding Agreement that included additional money to offset the April 1, 25 per cent parent fee reduction, and access to a one-time grant.
Centres that have opted out of the 2022-23 Funding Agreement will not have access to offer families the following:
The retroactive fee reduction reimbursement (January 1- March 31)
The 25 per cent, on average, reduced fees after April 1
Future fee reductions, including 50 per cent, on average, reduction scheduled for December 2022
Parent choice
As a parent, you will always have choice in who provides care for your child. As we advance our work under the Canada-Wide Agreement, parents will continue to have choice.