Nearly 50 child-care spaces to open in East Preston, N.S.

A daycare centre is seen in this file photo. (Pexels)

The province of Nova Scotia says nearly 50 child-care spaces will open in East Preston next spring.

A new child-care centre is set to be built next to the current East Preston Day Care Centre on Highway 7.

It will create up to 48 new spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and is expected to open in April.

The centre’s executive director says the expansion will also allow for more employment opportunities within the community.

“We are thankful and blessed to be given this opportunity to continue to grow. Thank you to all involved but most importantly thank you to all of the ECEs (early childhood educators) who continue to show up each day with hearts full of love and support for the children we care for each day,” said Trina Fraser in a provincial news release.

The province says it will provide about $2.1 million to the project, which is supported through the Canada–Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

“Creating more child-care spaces in African Nova Scotian communities like East Preston means our children grow up in early learning environments that reflect and respect who they are. It also means supporting parents, creating jobs and strengthening our whole community,” said minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and Preston MLA Twila Grosse.

The province says more than 8,900 new child-care spaces have been announced since 2021.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page