A total of $1.3 million in funding was announced March 4 with Learning Grove receiving $13,034. Clare’s Notre Jardin d’Enfance received $15,805.
“We’re helping childcare centre’s make their facilities safer and more comfortable,” said Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse. “Improving the places where many Nova Scotia children learn and play benefits families, children and childcare professionals.”
Digby and Area Learning Association executive director Clyde Baltzer said the expansion of the daycare is moving forward, and the new money will help to install geothermal heating into the existing structure and remove the electric heating. There also will be other upgrades.
“We’re very excited. Anytime we can improve services to the families we serve that’s a very positive thing for us,” said Baltzer.
The plan is to expand the current daycare to provide approximately 1,600 square feet to run the after school program, he said. Office and storage space will also be improved.
Baltzer said the changes would allow the daycare to offer summer programs, and remain open on storm, vacation and in-service days as well.
“We are looking at the possibility of running a half day pre-school program as well,” he said.
Construction is expected to start next spring.
The Learning Grove Centre now serves just over 80 children.
ldelong@digbycourier.ca
