The Province is working with schools and child-care partners to add the Nova Scotia Before and After Program in 21 schools across the province.
The program is also adding spaces at some current locations to better meet the needs of families. In total, more than 1,200 new spaces are expected to be created for the 2025-26 school year.
The program provides care for children ages four to 12 enrolled in public school before classes begin and after they end. Care is provided at the school so students have a seamless day.
"Before and after programs are convenient and affordable child-care options for families with school-aged children," said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. "We're on a mission to make life easier for families and to ensure parents can find affordable child care that meets their needs."
Growing the Nova Scotia Before and After Program is a priority for the Province and part of meeting Nova Scotia's commitments under the Canada - Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This year's increase was informed by a standardized provincial approach to establish need for before and after school care, which supported provincial planning to meet that need.
Program operators are currently preparing for the upcoming school year, including staffing the new and expanded locations. Families seeking care and those interested in working for the program at a school can visit the program web page for a list of participating schools and operators in their area: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/bap
Quotes:
"These new flexible and reliable before-and-after school spaces will make a big difference for parents, who no longer have to choose between the price of daycare and building their careers. We will always support greater access to high-quality, affordable and inclusive early learning and child care that helps children reach their full potential."
Anna Gainey, Canada's Secretary of State for Children and Youth
Quick Facts:
- the program may be added to more than 21 schools this year as the Province continues to look for opportunities to expand
- this school year, 4,000 spaces are expected to be operational in more than 100 participating schools
- in the 2024-25 school year, there were just under 3,000 spaces across 83 school sites
- the program operates in addition to the EXCEL program, which is a before-and-after program offered by the Halifax Regional Centre for Education in many of its schools
- since 2021, more than 7,300 child-care spaces have been created in Nova Scotia
Additional Resources:
- More information about EXCEL can be found at: https://www.hrce.ca/families/general-information/excel
- More information about child-care in Nova Scotia and creating new spaces is at: https://www.childcarenovascotia.ca/
