Families in Pictou County and across Nova Scotia will see more government money to support their children in regulated child care effective Thursday.
The new program will include families earning up to $35,000, from a previous $25,000 limit, making 550 more children eligible.
Families earning $35,000 to $70,000 will see an increased subsidy to support 675 more children. For the first time, part-day programs are eligible for the subsidy, to support an estimated 375 children.
“The enhanced child care subsidy program will make child care more accessible and affordable for about 1,600 eligible children,” said Zach Churchill, minister of Education and Early Childhood Development in a release Thursday. “We're increasing the income threshold for families, and for the first time, making the child care subsidy available to children in part-day programs.”
Families’ regulated child-care providers will notify those receiving a subsidy about their rate change.
In January, the province signed a three-year, $35-million early-learning and child-care funding deal with the federal government. A portion of that funding has been designated to support the changes to the child-care subsidy.
Jean-Yves Duclos, federal minister of Families, Children and Social Development, said that Ottawa and Halifax are working together to ensure children and families had access to decent early learning.
“For too many families, the absence of affordable and quality child-care services means making difficult choices such as using retirement savings early, abandoning a career or delaying new training or work opportunities,” said Duclos.
People interested in learning more about the subsidy, including how to apply and eligibility criteria, can find more information at www.ednet.ns.ca or by calling toll-free 1-844-804-2084.
