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New $10-a-Day Child Care System

Full Title:
Affordable and Accessible Child Care Act

Summary#

  • This bill would set up a publicly managed early learning and child care system in Nova Scotia, starting January 1, 2026. Its main goals are lower parent fees, more licensed spaces for children under six, and clearer, fairer access.

  • It aims to bring the average parent fee down to $10 per day by March 31, 2026, expand spaces mainly through not-for-profit and public providers, and create one centralized waitlist for families.

  • Key changes:

    • Average fees for regulated child care drop to $10 per day by March 31, 2026.
    • The Province moves to a “target-fee” model where it pays providers the difference between their fee and $10/day.
    • A single, centralized waitlist is created with clear placement rules and public data on demand and wait times.
    • New government-funded spaces can only be created by not-for-profit or public providers (no government funding for new for‑profit spaces).
    • The Province must identify enough licensed spaces for children under six to reach about 59% coverage (5.9 spaces per 10 children) by March 31, 2026.
    • Annual public reporting and independent checks if targets are missed.

What it means for you#

  • Parents and guardians of children under six

    • Average daily fees fall to about $10 per child by late March 2026. Some may pay a bit more or less, but the overall average must meet $10/day.
    • You apply once to a single, centralized waitlist instead of signing up with many centres.
    • Placement decisions use clear, public rules. Data on wait times and demand will be published.
    • Before- and after-school programs for school-aged children are not counted toward the space target.
    • Changes begin January 1, 2026, with the new funding model in place no later than that date.

  • Child-care providers (centres and family homes that are regulated)

    • Under the target-fee model, you bill families $10/day (on average across the system), and the Province pays you the difference between your posted fee and $10/day directly.
    • If you receive government funding, you must join and use the centralized waitlist.
    • New spaces that get government funding must be operated by not-for-profit or public providers.
    • For-profit operators can still run and may expand using their own funds, but cannot receive provincial capital or operating funding to create new for-profit spaces.

  • Not-for-profit and public providers

    • You are prioritized for government funding to create new spaces.
    • Annual reports will show how many spaces you operate and where new spaces are added.

  • Early childhood educators and staff

    • More licensed spaces could mean more job openings.
    • The bill does not set wages or staffing rules, but a centralized list and public reporting may change some administrative workflows.

  • Taxpayers and the public

    • The Auditor General will investigate if the Province misses targets and report publicly.
    • The Minister must table an action plan with timelines and funding to get back on track if targets are missed.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

  • Lower, predictable fees ($10/day on average) will help family budgets and make it easier for parents—especially mothers—to work.
  • A single waitlist is simpler and fairer, reduces duplicate applications, and shows clearly where new spaces are most needed.
  • Prioritizing not-for-profit and public providers keeps public funds focused on care and learning, not profit.
  • Paying the fee difference directly to providers offers stable funding and reduces paperwork for families.
  • Clear targets, annual reporting, and Auditor General oversight improve accountability and public trust.

Opponents' View#

  • Barring government funding for new for-profit spaces may limit growth, reduce parent choice, and slow expansion where non-profits are not ready to build.
  • The $10/day average may mask gaps by region or age group, leaving some families still paying more.
  • A centralized waitlist could add bureaucracy, reduce provider flexibility, or slow placements if not well-managed.
  • The deadlines for lower fees and more spaces may be hard to meet given staffing and facility constraints.
  • Overall costs to taxpayers are unclear, and the bill does not address educator wages or workforce shortages directly.