The Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible families by paying for a portion of their child care fees charged by licensed child care facilities, approved family home child care agencies, and approved Nova Scotia Before and After Programs.
About the program
Families can apply for the Nova Scotia Child Care Subsidy Program if they have children 12 years old and younger enrolled in a licensed child care facility, approved family home child care agencies, or approved Nova Scotia Before and After Programs.
- Find a licensed child care facility.
- Learn about the Nova Scotia Before and After Program.
Applications are assessed by a Child Care Subsidy Caseworker within 8 weeks of your submission. A caseworker may contact you with additional questions, and will notify you when a decision has been made regarding your application.
If you are approved to receive child care subsidy, your subsidy will be backdated to the day we received your complete application.
Eligibility
Your eligibility for the Nova Scotia Child Care Subsidy Program is reviewed at least once every year. Eligibility is based on your family's financial situation. We will do an assessment of your current financial circumstances and families with assessed incomes under $70,000 are eligible for the subsidy program.
After you have been approved for the subsidy
Once the subsidy is in place the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will provide the funding directly to the chosen licensed child care facility, approved family home child care agency, or approved Nova Scotia Before and After Program.
If you transfer your child/ren to another (approved) location, contact your caseworker and your subsidy can be transferred.
You are required to notify your caseworker if you or your partner/spouse have changes to the following:
- employment
- income
- address
- marital status
- contact details
- custody arrangements
- child care arrangements
- residency status
If you do not notify us and we pay you too much, 3 things may happen:
- you may have to pay us back
- we may cancel your subsidy
- we may take you to court
Early Learning and Child Care Regulations 55 (5) (6)
Before you Begin your Application
The application form is in English.
If English is not your first language it is helpful to ask an English-speaking person to help you when completing the form.
Filling out the application generally takes less than 60 minutes.
Make sure you plan for enough time to complete the application process. The form completion time will depend on your family and financial situation.
There is a 30 minute timeout for each screen of the application.
If you don't move from one screen to another within that 30 minute timeframe your application will be considered to be abandoned and any information you have provided up to that point will be discarded.
- To prevent this make sure you progress through the screens within the allotted time.
- We also recommend preparing all documents and information before starting so that you can proceed smoothly through the application.
Preparing to Apply
Prepare digital files of your supporting documents so they are ready to upload. You can upload files of the following types: PDF documents images or photos in gif, jpg, jpeg, png, or heic (iPhone photo) formats.
Review the categories below to identify the types of information and documents that you (and your partner/spouse) may be required to submit.
Canadian Residency Status
If you (or your partner/spouse) are not a Canadian citizen, you'll need to provide a copy of one of the following:
- Permanent Resident Card
- Refugee Protection Claimant Documentation (RPCD)
- Temporary Resident Card (work or study visas)
You are Unemployed ; your partner/spouse is Unemployed
If you — or your partner/spouse (if applicable) — are unemployed, you will (each) be asked to provide the following information:
Your most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA)
An NOA is a summary of your tax return. For more information go to Learn about your taxes: The one about your notice of assessment - Canada.ca (video). To get a copy of your NOA sign into your CRA 'My Account': Get a copy - Canada.ca- Your Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits Information (if applicable):
- your weekly payment amount
- your 'My Latest Claim' Employment Insurance (EI) statement
You are a Student ; your partner/spouse is a Student
If you — or your partner/spouse (if applicable) — are a student, you will (each) be asked to provide the following information:
Your most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA)
An NOA is a summary of your tax return. For more information go to Learn about your taxes: The one about your notice of assessment - Canada.ca (video). To get a copy of your NOA sign into your CRA 'My Account': Get a copy - Canada.ca- School contact information:
- proof of enrollment (notice of acceptance)
- school name
- program
- start date (month/year)
- estimated finish date (month/year)
You are a Student and Employed ; your partner/spouse is a Student and Employed
If you — or your partner/spouse (if applicable) — are a student and employed, you will (each) be asked to provide the following information:
Your most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA)
An NOA is a summary of your tax return. For more information go to Learn about your taxes: The one about your notice of assessment - Canada.ca (video). To get a copy of your NOA sign into your CRA 'My Account': Get a copy - Canada.ca- Pay Information
- 3 current pay slips (3 slips from each of your employers), or
- a letter of employment (one letter from each of your employers ; the letter needs to include your hours and earnings).
- Your employment information (for each of your jobs):
- employer name
- start date (month/year)
- School contact information:
- proof of enrollment (notice of acceptance)
- school name
- program
- start date (month/year)
- estimated finish date (month/year)
Child Custody Agreements
If you have a shared custody agreement you must provide one of the following:
- court order (if currently available)
- private custody agreement (verbal/written)
Benefits from Employment Support Services, Income Assistance, Disability Support Program (Department of Opportunities and Social Development)
If you - or your partner/spouse - are participating in any of these programs you will need to provide the following information:
- Summary of Benefits
- Contact information for your Department of Opportunities and Social Development caseworker:
- first name
- last name
All other sources of income
You and your partner/spouse must report all other sources of income, for example:
- death benefits
- income from rental properties
- tips/bonuses
- workers compensation benefits
- pension benefits
- insurance benefits
- investment income
- income from trusts, estates, royalties, or other assets
Apply Online
When you have all of your information ready, proceed to the application form.
Related Information
Intake Toll free: 1-844-804-2084
Regional office locations
Halifax
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: Child Care Subsidy Program
2021 Brunswick St P.O. Box 578
Halifax, NS B3J 2S9
Intake: 902-424-2084
Truro
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: Child Care Subsidy Program
60 Lorne Street Room 100
Truro, NS
B2N 3K3
Yarmouth
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: Child Care Subsidy Program
10 Starrs Road
Yarmouth, NS
B5A 2T1
Port Hawkesbury
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: Child Care Subsidy Program
218 MacSween Street, Provincial Building (Floor 1)
Port Hawkesbury, NS
B9A 2J9
Sydney
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: Child Care Subsidy Program
1030 Prince Street, Suite 6
Sydney, NS
B1P 5P6