New child-care spaces opening in Nova Scotia’s Colchester, Inverness counties

Children are pictured in a child-care centre. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia)

New child-care spaces are set to open in Nova Scotia’s Colchester and Inverness counties.

The funding for the 66 new spaces comes from the federal and provincial governments.

“Investments in child care support our communities by helping families participate in the workforce and grow Nova Scotia’s economy,” said Brendan Maguire, Nova Scotia’s minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, in a news release from the province.

The Lower Onslow Preschool Association in Masstown received $771,000 and is expected to have 52 spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers open next spring.

The East Coast Early Learning Association in Margaree received $393,000, with 14 toddler and preschool spaces scheduled to open in the fall.

“High-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care means less pressure on families and more choice for parents,” said Patty Hajdu, the federal minister of Jobs and Families, in the release.

The province has announced more than 7,300 new child-care spaces since 2021.

Nova Scotia 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 extended agreements will be in place until March 31, 2031.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page