wensamjam

I have lived in Nova Scotia since 2005 with my husband and our 7 year old son. We chose to settled in Fall River.
When we arrived it was important for us to find the right childcare for our son (who was 4 at the time). We started looking in Fall river and local area’s. We found most centre’s offer various programs, only one centre had a short waiting list. Where in Dartmouth and Halifax many childcare centre’s have long waiting lists. I was lucky enough to find a great pre-school where I became a pre-school teacher and my son attending one of the classes. We both stayed for a term. I then found a pre-school teaching job in Fall river closer to home. My son then started school.
When I was working in fall river at the pre-school and after-school centre it came to my attention many parents were not happy that there was not enough childcare places in the area. With that I decided to look at opening my own centre which opened in October 2007 in Waverley.
For any parents looking for any childcare I have made a brief list of what is on offer in Nova Scotia.

Daycares

These are licensed centre’s that offer childcare for young children, (some from 6wks old ) but mainly from 12 months old to 4 years old. Also some centre’s will offer school age programs. Ratio is one adult to every 8 children under 2 years of age, and one adult to every 12 children from 3 to 5yrs old. School age is one adult to every 15 children. The price you can expect to pay is usually from $25.00 to $30.00 a day. Most centre’s in the Halifax area will have long waiting lists, whereas centre’s on the outskirts of Halifax do not have as long a waiting list.

Pre-schools

These are licensed centre’s that offer morning and in some cases, afternoon sessions. Some will offer a structured program in ways of getting children ready for school. Circle time, writing skills, learning numbers and the alphabet. Some pre-schools may offer full day programs, children are then required to have a rest period if they stay all day. Ratio is one adult to 12 children, again some centre’s will offer an after-school program. Prices are usually from $12.00 to $15.00 a half day session.

Playgroups

Theses mainly take place in recreation centres or church halls, and can also take place in private houses. These are for parents to go along with their children and let them play and socialise. It’s a socializefor the parents also to meet and chat with other parents. These can be run by mother’s who hold a childcare certificate.

In-Home Daycares & Pre-schools

Many carers offer this service in there own home. Carer’s should have a childcare qualification. If they have over 6 children they need to be licensed, and they will be inspected by community services. Again prices are usually $25.00 to $30.00 a day. They will offer various programs.


After-school Care

All licensed centre’s such as daycares, pre-school’s, and private home childcare (licensed if over 6 children) may offer school age programs. From 5 years up to 12 years old. The carer will go to the school bus stop and collect the children and walk them back to the centre or they may live on the bus route so the bus stops outside the centre/house. Some centre’s may have their own centre transport. For an afternoon session prices may start from $12.00 to $15.00 an afternoon. The centre may also offer before school service. This is good for any parents that need to get to work early.

Excel

This is care inside school, before, lunch and after-school. Excel usually have a long waiting list, so you need to book early. Registration is the beginning of April, payment is to be paid when booking in April. They run from 1.30pm until 6pm every school day. They do NOT open when it is a storm day, PD day (personal development day), March break & Summer holidays. So you would need to find alternative childcare at these times if needed.

Links include:
www.gov.ns.ca/com/ for information about childcare in Halifax and other area’s. You can call community services and they will let you know what centres have to offer.

www.hrsb.ns.ca/schools/excel/ for information about the excel program, how it works and what it offers, they will give you the phone number for your local excel program.

Hope this helps those parents looking for childacre in NS.

Southcote

Hi

We're looking to move over to Fall River as soon as we can sell our house. We have a 6 year old daughter who will be going to school, but our 4 year old son won't be, but is used to going to pre-school. Can you send me details (website link if you have one) to your pre-school

Many Thanks

wensamjam

Your welcome,
I hoped my posting would be helpful for some parents.
Good luck with your move to NS.