New Brunswick is offering incentives as it looks to boost the number of preschool child-care spaces and increase access to infant care.
On Tuesday, the province announced it is accepting proposals to create new designated spaces for children five and under.
It is part of the government’s plan to create 3,400 designated preschool early learning and child-care spaces by 2026.
“We have heard from New Brunswick families across the province about the challenges they face accessing early learning and child-care services,” Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan said in a news release.
“Through this new call-for-proposals process, we are focusing on increasing access in communities with the greatest needs while also recognizing the high demand for infant spaces.”
Residents, community partners and existing early learning and child-care operators are being invited to submit proposals to open new designated spaces.
According to the province, a space allocation grid has been created to identify regions with the greatest need.
For opening a new designated facility, operators could get up to $6,000 for home facilities or up to $270,000 for for-profit or not-for-profit centres.
One-time grants of $5,000 per infant space and $500 per preschool space are also available to operators of new designated home facilities, for-profit centres and non-profit centres.
In addition, existing operators who create new infant spaces could receive between $3,000 (home facilities) and $10,000 (for-profit and non-profit centres) for each new space.
The first call for proposals will close on March 15 with a second call being issued this fall.
Provincial officials said non-profit centres and homes will be prioritized, and all proposals must include infant spaces.
You can find more details on the Government of New Brunswick’s website.
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