Nova Scotia’s Action Plan for fiscal year 2022 to 2023

Enhancements to the Child Care Subsidy Program

Initiative

• The number of families and children receiving maximum subsidy has increased over time. Annual income has increased from $25,000 to $35,000. There are 550 more children anticipated to access subsidies this year
• Funding in fiscal year 2022 to 2023 will be used to maintain program changes and to extend care options to allow for wraparound care. Further expansion of the Subsidy program is anticipated as additional child care centres and spaces are added through planned Canada Wide ELCCA expansion

Funding

• $4,851,688

Indicators

• Number of children receiving maximum subsidy
• Number of children impacted by change in sliding scale

Targets

• 550 children receiving the maximum subsidy per diem
• 675 children qualify for increased funding through the child care subsidy program

Strategic growth of the regulated child care system

Initiative

• Nova Scotia’s Strategic Growth plan has improved accessibility to regulated child care across Nova Scotia. This investment has increased the number of child care spaces in underserved communities, which were identified using criteria such as population demographics, Early Development Instrument (EDI) results, current usage of child care spaces and results of consultation with families across Nova Scotia. The initiative also focused on the development of infant and toddler spaces
• In fiscal year 2021 to 2022 investments supported growth in regulated child care through expansion of centres and family home care provider sites. In fiscal year 2022 to 2023 Strategic Growth funding maintains existing spaces. Funding supports family home care agencies to hire consulting staff to support new care providers
• Regulated child care and family home care agencies seeking growth, have been invited to participate in an Expression of Interest through the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement

Funding

• $1,204,400
  • $380,000 for regulated child care
  • $824,400 for family home child care

Indicators

• Number of new child care spaces maintained
• Number of new family home child care providers maintained

Targets

• Maintain 425 new spaces in regulated child care
• Maintain 63 new family home child care providers

Infant Quality Care Grant (supporting accessibility and workforce development)

Initiative

• The Infant Quality Care Grant (IQCG) focuses on improving the quality of infant care in regulated early learning and child care programs by ensuring infant educators and care providers participate in enhanced professional development and learning opportunities related to the provisions of high-quality infant care. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) will continue to support the provision of quality infant care by providing ongoing professional learning, coaching, and mentoring to child care centres and family home child care providers with infant spaces

Funding

• $1,204,000

Indicators

• Number of child care centres and number Family Home Child Care (FHCC) providers receiving IQCG funding
• Number of child care centre staff and number FHCC providers participating in enhanced infant training
• Number of infant spaces supported through Infant Quality Care Grant funding

Targets

• 88 child care centres receiving IQCG
• 81 FHCC providers receiving IQCG
• 300 child care staff participating in infant training
• 130 FHCC providers participating in infant training
• 1,295 child care infant spaces
• 158 FHCC infant spaces

NSCC-ISANS Pathway ECE Diploma Program (2 cohorts and language supports)

Initiative

• EECD is collaborating with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) and the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) to develop and deliver programming to support newcomers to gain work experience while studying to earn a diploma while accessing integrated language support. Funding supported the development of the pilot in fiscal year 2021 to 2022 with program delivery to begin in fiscal year 2022 to 2023
• A second Pathway Program is being supported with additional integrated language resources to support the initiative

Funding

• $1,103,300 in total
  • $403,300 workforce funding fiscal year 2021 to 2022 carryover
  • $700,000 in fiscal year 2022 to 2023 funding ($500,000 for second cohort and $200,000 for additional language support for both cohorts)

Indicators

• Pilot is developed
• Newcomers receive ECE training, language training and work experience
• Number of students accessing program

Targets

• 30 newcomers supported to enter the sector
• 30 additional newcomers in second cohort

Professional development (in-service support)

Initiative

• ELCCA funding will continue to be invested in the growth of a knowledgeable and diverse workforce. Funding is targeted to recruit new ECEs to the sector and provide continuing education to retain workers and support initiatives around quality, including such themes as outdoor play, supporting diversity, and driving centre-based pedagogical leadership
• Funding opportunities are designed to ensure access to training by providing part time and online opportunities. There is on ongoing commitment to support anti-racist and anti-bias training opportunities and to ensure families see themselves reflected in the ECE workforce

Funding

• $200,000

Indicator

• Number of ECEs engaged in professional development

Target

• 1,000 ECEs engaged in professional development

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Initiative

• To support the required growth in the number of qualified Early Childhood Educators, the Province collaborated with partners to introduce a RPL Initiative. This initiative supports individuals working in child care without formal credentials by assessing their knowledge and experience through a competency-based assessment process. This rigorous assessment process enabled individuals to demonstrate they have acquired competencies through their prior experience. A RPL process, in any profession, typically results in a 50% to 60% success rate and can provide valuable information on areas of strength and areas to engage in professional development

Funding

• $46,000

Indicator

• Number of individuals upskilled through the RPL process

Target

• 20 individuals to upskill to a Level 2 classification

ECE compensation professional services

Initiative

• Upon signing of the Canada Wide Agreement on Early Learning and Childcare, a commitment was made to deliver a new compensation framework. Professional Services were engaged to support this initiative and its rollout in fiscal year 2022 to 2023

Funding

• $203,000 (workforce funding from fiscal year 2021 to 2022 carryover)

Indicator

• Compensation Framework developed and implemented Fall 2022

Target

• Compensation Framework for early learning and child care professionals

NSCECE accelerated (with Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition – PLAR) diploma program

Initiative

• Students who are currently employed in early learning and child care, participate in online learning during evening and weekend hours to earn a diploma in early childhood education. The Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education (NSCECE) recognizes workforce experience in providing programming. EECD will continue this partnership with NSCECE to support up to thirty experienced staff to earn their diploma. The PLAR process gives staff credits for their prior knowledge and experiences thereby reducing the time it takes to earn their diploma. In fiscal year 2021 to 2022, 545 seats were offered across 3 post-secondary institutions using ELCCA and one-time workforce funds

Funding

• $500,000

Indicator

• Number of students supported

Target

• Up to 30 untrained staff supported to engage in training program

Bursary Program

Initiative

• This program targets full-time diploma students at an EECD approved training institution. Students are eligible for up to $5,000 over 2 years; on average $2,500 per year. This allocation also includes 25 bursaries for Mount St. Vincent University students in the Child and Youth Studies degree, provided they are taking courses focused on early childhood development. Priority funding is for students belonging to underrepresented groups

Funding

• $1,628,000
  • $1,382,600 (fiscal year 2022 to 2023 funding)
  • $245,400 (workforce funding from fiscal year 2021 to 2022 carryover)

Indicator

• Number of students receiving funding

Target

• Up to 600 full time first and second year diploma/degree students receive funding

Bursaries for part-time students

Initiative

• Students apply for reimbursement after completion of courses each semester. Up to $1,000 per year for tuition, books, and travel. This initiative supports access to education opportunities for ECEs, strengthening the ECE workforce and supporting ongoing recruitment and retention efforts

Funding

• $100,000

Indicator

• Number of students receiving funding

Target

• Up to 100 part-time students apply

Continuation of ECE Certification Initiative

Initiative

• Nova Scotia initiated an ECE Certification project to support professionalization of the sector. Professional Services have been engaged to support the ongoing project

Funding

• $80,500 (workforce funding from fiscal year 2021 to 2022 carryover)

Indicator

• Launch of certification project

Targets

• Certification model
• ECE competency framework
• Implementation plan developed

NSCC eCampus with seats to be available by September 2022

Initiative

• The NSCC offers an ECE Diploma through its existing eCampus program. This program has a wait list for participation warranting the addition of seats. This funding will add an additional section to the program to ensure access to the program. This part-time diploma is an option for individuals wanting to enter the sector but who are unable to study full-time; it is also key for upskilling staff who lack the 2 years of experience needed to participate in the Accelerated Diploma Program

Funding

• $234,000

Indicator

• Students enroll in program and begin studies in September 2022

Target

• Up to 30 part-time students enroll in program

Mi’kmaw ECE Diploma Program

Initiative

• This is a collaborative project with Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, who support Indigenous education initiatives and NSCC. It is a full-time hybrid program for students who identify as Mi’kmaq or Indigenous and are connected to a First Nation. Funding will support curriculum development, to begin in September 2022 and program delivery in September 2023

Funding

• $750,000

Indicators

• Program developed
• Students enrolled by September 2023

Target

• Up to 30 full-time students enroll

NSECEC part-time diploma

Initiative

• This part-time diploma is an option for individuals wanting to enter the sector but who are unable to study full-time; it is also key for upskilling new staff who lack the 2 years of experience needed to participate in the Accelerated (PLAR) Diploma Program
• Funding is used to adapt a full-time, in-person program for part-time, online delivery, with a prior learning and assessment process, and support program delivery starting in September 2022 or January 2023

Funding

• $500,000

Indicators

• Program developed
• Students enrolled by September 2022 or January 2023

Target

• Up to 30 full-time students enroll

Pyramid model

Initiative

• Under the 2017 to 2020 ELCCA, Nova Scotia introduced the Pyramid Model (PM) for Promoting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children, which provides a framework of evidence-based practices for promoting social, emotional, and behavioural development
• This model of care and province-wide coaching will continue and expand across the province in both official languages, to ensure quality practices in addressing the social and emotional needs of children accessing regulated child care

Funding

• $716,000
  • $542,000 – Program
  • $174,000 – French language supports

Indicators

• Number of child care centres engaged in PM
• Number of sites reaching program-wide implementation
• Number of sites reaching demonstration level
• Number of educators trained

Targets

• Continue with child care centres from cohort 1 and 2 engaged in PM (currently 21 sites and 31 classrooms)
• Implementation in a third cohort (additional 9 child care sites)
• 6 sites in cohort 1 and 2 reach program-wide implementation
• 1 site in cohort 1 reaches demonstration level
• 120 educators trained (20 in French)

Inclusion Support Grant

Initiative

• Funding will be used to continue the Inclusion Support Grant (ISG), which is provided to regulated child care centres to provide inclusive programming for children with complex needs. Funding supports centre investments in the acquisition of resources and additional staffing to support developmental, social, and physical inclusion for children who require specialized supports
• In fiscal year 2022 to 2023 we will continue to offer ISG and will expand the reach of the program to include additional centres and spaces created through CWELCCA

Funding

• $1,750,000

Indicators

• Number of regulated child care centres accessing funding through the ISG
• Percentage of regulated child care centres accessing funding through the ISG

Targets

• 260 eligible regulated child care centres accessing the ISG
• 85% of eligible regulated child care centres accessing the ISG

Early Childhood Development Intervention Services

Initiative

• The ELCCA has traditionally supported the work of Early Childhood Development Intervention Services (ECDIS) by increasing the number of Developmental Interventionists working across the province and supporting work to expand into equity seeking communities including African Nova Scotian, minority language communities, Acadian, and Mi’kmaw communities. Investments have led to growth in the number of children from underserved communities who are accessing intervention services, providing them with support to successfully transition and integrate into regulated child care, pre-primary, and school
• Funding from the current agreement will be used to retain existing Developmental Interventionists, ensuring that ECDIS is able to maintain supports to children from under-served populations
• Per April 2022 families served:
  • Acadian/Francophone: 69
  • African/African Nova Scotian: 98
  • new immigrants: 65

Funding

• $480,000

Indicator

• Number of children from diverse populations supported through ECDIS (Acadian and Francophone, African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, and newcomer communities)

Target

• Support 300 children from Acadian and Francophone, African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, and newcomer communities through early intervention services (ECDIS)

Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Virtual ECE Diploma Program

Initiative

• This is a full-time synchronous online program which supports students to complete an ECE Diploma. Priority for participation is given to individuals living in hard-to-recruit regions, specifically: Western Cape Breton (Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria Counties), Northern Region (Pictou and Antigonish Counties), and the South Shore (Lunenburg and Queens Counties). Funds spent in fiscal year 2021 to 2022 for implementation in fiscal year 2022 to 2023

Funding

• $469,800

Indicator

• High school graduates or NS Works clients living in hard-to-recruit areas of NS participate

Target

• Up to 30 eligible Nova Scotians participate

NSCC Link ECE Diploma Program

Initiative

• This is a part-time program for child care staff with at least 2 years’ experience to earn a combined high school and ECE diploma. Funds spent in fiscal year 2021 to 2022 for implementation in fiscal year 2022 to 2023

Funding

• $350,000

Indicator

• Number of staff enrolled

Target

• Up to 30 staff working in the sector without high school diploma enter program

Université Sainte-Anne Onsite ECE Diploma Program (classes to start September 2022)

Initiative

• Nova Scotia has a significant shortage of ECEs and this is especially pronounced in the francophone community. In consultation with the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, the Université Sainte-Anne is offering an onsite program from their Halifax campus
• This program will be a full-time French ECE diploma program. Funds spent in fiscal year 2021 to 2022 for implementation in fiscal year 2022 to 2023

Funding

• $250,000

Indicator

• Number of students enrolled

Target

• 25 Acadian or francophone high school graduates enroll in program

Programs

Table 1: Financial overview of fiscal year 2022 to 2023 initiatives

Funding available

Table 2: Funding available