Nova Scotia's Early Learning and Child Care Sector will have consistent and equitable access to Pension and Benefits
Highlights
- The sector is joining a defined benefit pension plan offered through CAAT and a comprehensive group benefits plan (medical, dental, orthodontic, vision, life and long-term disability coverage, EFAP, emergency travel coverage) through the Health Association of Nova Scotia (HANS).
- Plans will follow employees no matter where they work as long as they remain eligible and employed by a provincially licensed and funded child care centre or family home agency in Nova Scotia participating in the HANS and CAAT plans.
- Operators and their employees will be onboarded to these new plans over the next 12 months, beginning in May 2024 and completed by December 2024. Employees will receive a one-time retroactive employer pension contributions to January 1, 2024, regardless of when they enrol.
- The province will fund operators for 100% of employer contributions towards HANS and CAAT plans.
- Licensed family home child care providers will receive grant funding to purchase their own health benefits and support their contributions to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan.
- Wages will increase for ECEs working in provincially licensed and funded child care centres and family home child care agencies on April 1, 2024. This adjustment is in addition to regular public sector economic increases that ECEs began receiving last year. The updated wage scale is now available.
Benefits at a glance
A defined benefit pension plan
100% coverage for prescription drugs (less dispensing fee)
100% coverage for dental cleanings and checkups (one per calendar year for adults and 2 per year for children)
Eye exams plus up to $345 for glasses/contacts every 2 years
Up to $1,500 for paramedical practitioners
Life insurance, long term disability insurance, orthodontics, EFAP, and more
Learn more about your providers
Resources
- A Breakdown of Your Monthly Funding
- CAAT Pension Plan - Your DBplus Information Package
- Health Association of Nova Scotia - Your Group Benefits Summary
- Estimate your pension (pension calculator)
- Lifeworks Portal Login (EAP)
- Telus Health EAP - Brochure
- CAAT - Are you close to retirement age?
26 June 2024 : Understanding your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Slide deck (PDF)| Sector call (video)
29 January 2024 : Hans Payworks Payroll Demo
Sector call (video)
22 January 2024 : Details about funding for benefits (Family Home Child Care Agencies and Providers)
Slide deck (PDF)
11 January 2024 : Details about benefits, plans and next steps (Employee Information Call)
Slide deck (PDF)
4 January 2024, 9 January 2024 : Information about transitioning your organization and employees onto plans.
Slide deck (PDF)| Sector call (video)
20 December 2023 : Information about benefits, plans, and what comes next.
Slide deck (PDF) | Afternoon sector call (video) | Evening sector call (video)
10 May 2023 : Benefits & Retirement Update
Slide deck (PDF)
11 October 2022 : Benefits & Retirement Update
Sector call (video) | Slide deck (PDF)
FAQs
Group Benefits and Defined Benefit Pension Plans
What comes next?
If you have questions about the pension or benefit program please let us know. Ask a question
If you have issues completing this form, contact ECDSBenefits@novascotia.ca