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New Child-Care Spaces in Cape Breton

Amanda Costello, Director, YMCA Early Learning Centre (Charlotte Street), Amelia, Hannah, Madilyn and MLA Brian Comer. Photo courtesy of Steve Wadden.

Families looking for child care in Cape Breton will see more than 300 new spaces in licensed centres and family homes this year thanks to provincial and federal funding.

They are part of the 1,500 new, licensed child-care spaces the Province plans to create across Nova Scotia.

The YMCA of Cape Breton is completing renovations to the Frank Rudderham Family YMCA child-care centre in Sydney and will open about 12 new spaces for toddlers this summer. The YMCA is also opening a new child-care centre at Cove Guest Home Community Lodge in Sydney this fall, with a total of about 50 spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

The Cape Breton Family Place Family Home Child Care Agency has also expanded, adding 11 new homes with space for three to nine children at each location. The agency is continuing to work to add more family homes.

Other planned expansions in Cape Breton and their expected openings include:

  • Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education, Port Hawkesbury – about 44 new spaces (infant, toddler and preschool); spring
  • Taigh Curaim Day Care Society, Baddeck – about 22 new spaces (infant, toddler, preschool); summer
  • Taigh Curaim Day Care Society, Bay St. Lawrence – about 16 new spaces (toddler and preschool); summer
  • Taigh Curaim Day Care Society, Ingonish – about 28 new spaces (infant, toddler, preschool); fall
  • Munro Academy, Sydney Mines – about 52 new spaces (infant, toddler); fall
  • Playschool Day Care, New Waterford – about 24 new spaces (infant, toddler); fall
  • Town Daycare Centre, Glace Bay – about 16 new infant spaces; fall
  • Whitney Pier Day Care Centre, Sydney – about 28 new spaces (infant and toddler); fall.

“We are proud to support more families across Cape Breton island with better access to child care,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health and MLA Cape Breton East, on behalf of Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “We will continue to make investments to make child care more accessible and affordable.”

The investment in these expansions is about $10.4 million, through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026.

Quotes:

Every child deserves the best start in life. These new child-care spaces will help ensure families across Cape Breton Island have increased access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care.

Karina Gould, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

At the YMCA, we know that affordable, accessible and inclusive child care is the foundation for thriving communities. We are pleased to be able to serve even more families through this expansion. As the largest provider of licensed child care in the province, YMCAs across Nova Scotia look forward to working with government to identify solutions for a high-quality child-care system that meets the needs of families and local communities.

Sabrina Vatcher, CEO, YMCA of Cape Breton

Since my two daughters were infants, the YMCA of Cape Breton’s child-care team has been an essential part of our family. With every drop-off, I take great comfort in knowing that our children are in the care of such dedicated, kind and fun educators. Quality, reliable child care is vital to parents. This expansion is welcome news for our community and will bring tremendous relief to many families as they juggle life’s demands.

Danielle Johnston, parent at YMCA of Cape Breton early learning centre

Quick Facts:

  • 72 before and after school spaces for school-age children were added in Cape Breton last year to provide a seamless day of care for young children; planning is underway for hundreds more across the province
  • in 2022, Nova Scotia reduced parent fees for child care by 50 per cent on average and is on track to achieve $10 a day on average by 2026
  • 1,500 new centre-based and family home child-care spaces are being created across the province
  • Nova Scotia has increased its investment in early learning and child care by $83 million, for a total investment of $277 million in 2023
  • through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026, the Government of Canada is contributing $605 million over five years for early learning and child care in the province

Additional Resources:

More information on early learning and child care is available at: https://childcarenovascotia.ca/

To receive regular updates about child care in Nova Scotia via newsletter: https://childcarenovascotia.ca/latest-news

For information on child care centres and family home agencies by community: https://nsbr-online-services.novascotia.ca/DCSOnline/ECDS/loadSearchPage.action