PROVINCIAL CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM

The purpose of the Child Care Subsidy Program is to assist eligible families in meeting child care needs of children ages 18 months and up to and including 12 years of age.    

To be eligible in this program, all applicants must meet both of the following two criteria:

·         Fit within the parameters of an income test.

·         Meet the financial assets criteria.

The family fills out an application form which is found on the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s website at this address:

https://www.ednet.ns.ca/earlyyears/families/application.shtml

A hard copy of the application can also be picked up at 76 River Street in Kentville.

The nearest Branch Office is in Kentville. The subsidy Caseworker is as follows:

Tracy Childs

Child Care Subsidy Caseworker

Education and Early Childhood Development

76 River Street

Kentville, Nova Scotia

Phone: 902-678-5108  or  1-877-442-4415

Email: tracy.childs@novascotia.ca

Fax: 902-679-6242

General Enquiries Line: 902-424-2084/1-844-804-2084

All information contained in your application is confidential. Financial information will be requested to prove your income. Requested documents will vary depending on family’s type of income. Typically, a copy of your CRA Notice of Assessment that shows line 236 and two recent bi-weekly paystubs are requested.

The amount of child care subsidy is based on a sliding scale, with higher income families contributing more towards the cost.  Family size is another factor in the determination of fees. 

If approved, the subsidy portion provided towards the cost of child care, is paid directly to the center and the center submits a monthly claim to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Families are required to notify their subsidy Caseworker of any changes in family composition, address, employment income or place of employment as they occur.

Subsidized spaces for families are typically secured through a licensed non-profit, full day, child care center.

Any center receiving funding on behalf of families through the subsidy program MUST be a licensed, registered and approved program.  A childcare directory of licensed centers can be found at the following website: 

https://nsbr-online-services.gov.ns.ca/DCSOnline/ECDS/loadSearchPage.action or you may google NS licensed child care facilities.

Parents wishing to apply for subsidy must first determine from the center if such funding is available and whether space is available within the center.  Most centers offering subsidized spaces have moderate to heavy waiting lists. Once a space has been obtained, the following are conditions for payment on a families’ behalf:  

•     An allowance of three (3) absent days per month 

•     An allowance of five (5) sick days per month.  Illness longer than this requires a medical certificate

•     Up to fifteen (15) days for vacation time in any fiscal year (April 1 - March 31).  An additional five (5) days may be obtained for families whose parents are divorced or separated.  Documentation must be submitted.