Worries mount for private, non-profit childcare centres ahead of N.S. pre-primary rollout

The pre-primary rollout continues to be mired by a lack of transparency and worry on the part of parents and childcare providers.

The immediate staffing upon which these programs depend is deeply problematic. According to the conversations we've had, the only way that 50+ ECEs will fill these jobs is if they are poached from existing centres. This will surely lead to the closure of many licensed childcare facilities in Nova Scotia who already struggle to find and retain staff and pay their monthly overhead. Some of these centres provide care for children as young as 6 months old. This will mean a net loss of full day, licensed, purpose-designed facilities who care for children 6 months - 5 years old in exchange for part day programming with higher staff to student ratios for 4 year olds only.

If you have children in regulated childcare in Nova Scotia, this is something you need to be aware of.