The Early Learning and Child Care Plan (ELCC)

With a focus on the needs of Nova Scotia families, the 10-year, made in Nova Scotia, Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Plan will add more day care spaces, increase subsidized spaces, and provide ongoing support for our child care sector.

Read more in the ELCC Plan brochure (PDF).

With this plan, we will achieve our vision that "All Nova Scotia children enjoy a good start in life and are nurtured and supported by caring families and communities".

• Child Care Expansion and Replacement Loan
  Financial assistance to new and existing facilities enabling them to expand their capacity. Includes the list of Approved Expansion Loan applicants.
• Child Care Operating Grant
  Available to licensed commercial and non-profit full-day child care centres.
• Child Care Subsidy
  This program assists eligible families with their child care expenses to enable them to work, pursue employment, attend school, and cope with family crisis.
• Energy Upgrade Grant
  This grant provides one-time funding that will enable a facility to operate in a more energy efficient manner.
• Family Home Day Care
  This program gives parents access to monitored day care services in a home setting.
• Outdoor Playspace Grant
  Grants to assist in the creation of natural, safe and stimulating outdoor play spaces.
• Program Enhancement Grant (PEG)
  Grants to assist in the enhancement of safe and stimulating programs.
• Recruitment & Retention of Child Care Staff
  A strategy to build a plan than will take steps to stabilize and enhance the child care workforce in order to deliver quality licensed child care services in Nova Scotia.
• Repair and Renovation Loan
  Assistance for licensed commercial and non-profit child care centres.
• Supported Child Care for Children with Special Needs
  This program helps families of children with special needs have access to child care in their own communities
• Supported Child Care Grant
  The Supported Child Care Grant provides a stable source of funding for programs that help children with special needs.

Please provide feedback and/or comments to ELCC@gov.ns.ca.

Related information

• Day Care Act
• Day Care Regulations
• Consultation document: Amendments to Nova Scotia's Day Care Regulations
• The Minister's Letter to Directors - April 8, 2008 (PDF)
• The Minister's Letter to Directors - December 6, 2007 (PDF)
• Child care information for parents
• Child care information for providers

News releases

• More Nova Scotia Children to Have Access to Licensed Child Care
  November 21, 2007
  The Nova Scotia government is moving full-steam ahead with the Early Learning and Child Care Plan, announcing more spaces, a plan to keep and recruit trained staff and helping more families afford licensed child care.
• Funding Outdoor Play Space Safety at Child Care Centres
  July 23, 2007
  Grants to create a safe environment for children to play are available to full- and part-day licensed child-care centres, including school-age centres and family home agencies.
• Funding to Increase Licensed Child Care Spaces
  May 16, 2007
  Nova Scotia families will soon have more access to licensed child care with a $10-million investment.
• More Money for Nova Scotia's Licensed Child Care Centres
  March 7, 2007
  Nova Scotia child care centres are getting the help they need to hire, and keep, qualified staff.
• Nova Scotia to Expand Family Home Day Care
  May 3, 2007
  Nova Scotia families will soon have more access to day care in private homes and those homes will be better regulated.