Securing child care in Nova Scotia poses a significant challenge for parents, especially those with demanding work schedules. Allie Feltmate, a registered nurse from Bedford, N.S., shared that finding suitable child care is a top stressor for her. Previously working directly with patients, Feltmate transitioned to a role supporting hospital staff due to the complexities of managing rotating shifts as a parent.
In her current position, Feltmate frequently works long hours and occasional weekends. To accommodate her schedule, she had to arrange workplace adjustments to drop her children off at a home daycare that opens at 8 a.m. In Nova Scotia, daycare providers set their own operating hours, typically running from 7 a.m. to 5-6 p.m. on weekdays.
Feltmate noted that some colleagues had to reduce their nursing hours to part-time or casual positions due to child care constraints, resulting in a shortage of health-care workers. Jessica Arenburg-Crouse, a cook at Annapolis Community Health Centre and a single mother of two, faces similar challenges in securing before- and after-school care that aligns with her work hours.
Changes in the child-care landscape began in 2021 when Nova Scotia signed an agreement with the Canadian government to enhance accessibility and reduce costs. Notably, Health Park Early Learning Centre in Sydney initiated a pilot offering overnight and extended child care for health-care professionals’ children in 2024.
The province plans to evaluate the overnight care pilot to potentially expand such services to other locations. Additionally, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is exploring alternative child-care options, including home-based care, to cater to families needing non-traditional hours of care.
Janet Hazelton, president of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union, advocates for more innovative solutions to support nurses and shift workers. She suggested placing daycares in hospitals or long-term care facilities could be beneficial. Hazelton emphasized that flexible child care is crucial to attracting and retaining younger nurses in the province. Both Feltmate and Arenburg-Crouse expressed agreement on the potential benefits of such initiatives.