Nova Scotia creates more child-care spaces for Eastern Shore

A group of children are pictured playing outside. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia)

The government of Nova Scotia will spend approximately $1.9 million to help create 72 new child-care spaces in the Lake Charlotte area of the Halifax Regional Municipality.

“It supports parents in the workforce, strengthens our communities and gives children the best possible start in life,” said Kent Smith, minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “That’s why we’re committed to expanding access to childcare options close to home.”

The spaces will be at a new centre on Highway 7 that will be operated by the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, said a Thursday news release.

This is the 12th project announced under the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s major infrastructure program. Funding is provided through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

Nova Scotia signed a five-year extension to child-care agreements worth more than $1 billion, said the release.

With more than 2,500 spaces in 41 communities, the president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth said they are the largest provider of licensed, non-profit childcare in the province.

“Opening a new YMCA child-care centre in Lake Charlotte is part of our commitment to supporting families close to home,” said Brian Posavad. “Since 2021, with support from the Province, the YMCA has created 1,056 new child-care spaces, representing 20 per cent of all new childcare in Nova Scotia.”

The province has created almost 7,000 new child-care spaces since 2021, said the release.

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