Exciting changes to the Nova Scotia Child Care Subsidy program!
Historically, family eligibility was assessed based on income and liquid asset value.
Effective May 29, 2024, applicants are no longer required to provide liquid asset value, letting families save to meet financial goals, like saving for retirement or a downpayment on a home, without impacting their subsidy eligibility.
The program has also transitioned from a paper-based form to an online/ digital application.
The move from paper to digital applications will reduce the administrative burden and decrease turnaround time for processing.
Child Care fees will be moving to $10 a day, on average, for children under age 6, by 2026.
Programs
Nova Scotia Child Care Subsidy Program
Eligibility, documentation requirements and a pathway to our new online application service.
Finding Child Care
Family Home Child Care, Licensed Early Learning & Child Care Centres, and the NS Before and After School Program
Inclusion Support & Early Childhood Development Intervention Services
Inclusive child care programs & services to families with children diagnosed with/at risk for developmental delay from birth to school entry.
Pre-primary Program
The Pre-primary Program is a free program for four-year-olds in the province. The program is offered in the school setting which helps children to transition into Primary the following year.
Before and After Program
This program is available to families of children ages 4 to 12, who are enrolled in the Nova Scotia Pre-primary Program or the public education system.
Resources
Nova Scotia Child Care Directory
The Government of Nova Scotia licenses child care facilities throughout the province. This directory lets you search for facilities by name and/or location.
Let’s Play Together! A Guide for Parents of 4-Year Olds
African Nova Scotian (PDF 3.9 MB) | English (PDF 4.5 MB) | French (PDF 4.1 MB) | Mi'kmaq (PDF 1.9 MB)
Capable, Confident and Curious
Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework guides the practice of early childhood educators and pedagogical leaders, who work with young children, from birth to age eight.