Effective December 31, 2022, families received an additional 25 per cent child care fee reduction (on average). Families are now paying an average of 50% less for child care than they were in 2021. Scroll down to learn more.
This change will help parents and guardians with infants, toddlers and preschoolers across the province. Fees will be moving to $10 a day, on average, by 2026. As part of the Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, our province is starting a five-year journey to build a system of child care that is affordable, inclusive, and accessible. Our vision is child care that cares for everyone – children, families, operators, and early childhood educators.
Fee reductions are applied directly to child care bills. The daily fee reduction amounts are:
| Jan 1, 2022 Average Fee Reduction ($) | Dec 31, 2022 Average Fee Reduction ($) | Total Average 50% Fee Reductions ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Child Care Centres | |||
| Infant | -10.50 | -12.50 | -23.00 |
| Toddler | - 9.00 | -9.25 | -18.25 |
| Preschool: Full Day | - 8.75 | -9.50 | -18.25 |
| Preschool: Part Day ? | - 3.75 | -0.75 | -4.50 |
| School Age: Full Day | - 6.75 | -3.25 | -10.00 |
| School Age: Before and After? | - 5.00 | -1.00? | -6.00 |
| School Age: After Only | - 4.00 | -0.50 | -4.50 |
| School Age: Before Only | - 3.00 | 0.00 | -3.00 |
| Family Home Child Care | |||
| Infant | - 8.50 | -8.50 | -17.00 |
| Toddler | - 8.25 | -8.25 | -16.50 |
| Preschool: Full Day | - 8.25 | -8.25 | -16.50 |
| School Age: Full Day | - 8.25 | -8.25 | -16.50 |
| School Age: Before and After | - 5.00 | -1.00 | -6.00 |
| School Age: After Only | - 4.00 | 0.00 | -4.00 |
| School Age: Before Only | - 3.00 | 0.00 | -3.00 |
| Nova Scotia Before and After Programs | |||
| School Age: Before and After | - 4.25 | 0.00 | -4.25 |
| School Age: After Only | - 3.25 | 0.00 | -3.25 |
| School Age: Before Only | - 1.50 | 0.00 | -1.50 |
Eligibility
Licensed centres that sign their amended annual funding agreement, which reflects the principles of the Canada-wide agreement, will be provided with full funding to offset the additional fee reduction. Regulated family home child care programs will be provided with full funding to offset the additional fee reduction.
Child Care Subsidy
Families that receive support from the Province's Child Care Subsidy Program will continue to receive subsidy coverage in addition to the fee reduction. Please reach out to your caseworker or child care centre if you have any concerns.
Parent choice
As a parent, you will always have choice in who provides care for your child. As we advance our work under the Canada-Wide Agreement, parents will continue to have choice. If you would like help in finding a space that can provide you with the fee reduction, please reach out: ECDServices@NovaScotia.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
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