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During the 2013 Throne Speech it was announced that thegovernment is establishing a Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, to better coordinate and improve the many ways that the province supports infants, young children, and their families in the first years of life. The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development will outline the immediate action and multi-year goals for Nova Scotia to make the most of the early years, with both prevention and support that will become available as the plan unfolds.

The province has developed a multi-year plan - now in its second year, Kids and Learning First is improving the future success of our children through a greater focus on the early years, the basics, and safer, better schools. The plan means more teachers, increased support for special education, and smaller class sizes. Included in the Budget 2013: Establish children’s centres so it is easier for families to access support services for their young kids and help them make a successful transition to elementary school—$1.2 million; Expand the ability of teachers to assess the developmental health of their students in critical areas like physical well-being, emotional maturity, social skills, and language—$70,000.

The Premier's office announced that families will have better access to the supports they need to ensure their children get a strong start in life thanks to changes and funding announced in this year's budget.

The province is opening early years centres in four communities to provide families with more access to services and supports for young children. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex announced the locations of the province's first early years centres today, Aug. 22, at Rockingstone Heights School, the site for the Halifax Regional School Board's centre.

Finance and Treasury Board Minister Diana Whalen tabled the 2014-15 provincial budget April 3, clearing the way for private sector growth and reinvestment in education and health care.

Excerpt: "The early years centres are located in or near schools, which make them accessible, convenient and familiar places for families in their communities. Each centre is tailored to meet the needs of its community by partnering with local organizations to offer programs and services such as early learning programs for four-year-olds, early intervention, before- and after-school programs, regulated child care, and parent education."

"The Nova Scotia Child Benefit income threshold will rise from $25,000 to $26,000 on July 1, bringing about 1,300 more children under the program's umbrella. Other families already in the program will get a modest improvement, on a graduated scale. Families with incomes between $18,000 and $26,000 qualify for partial benefits, and will receive average increases of $40 a year for one-child families, $100 a year for two-child families and $160 a year for families with three children. This will affect about 10,000 children already covered."

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey is taking steps to ensure the protection of children at regulated child-care centres across the province. Ms. Casey will introduce regulations that will give the minister the authority to ensure no child-care staff would be allowed to work with children at any time if they did not have their child abuse registry and criminal background checks in place.

"In today's digital world, new and expectant parents are looking for credible information online," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief public health officer. "This new program has been customized according to Nova Scotia standards. It provides the information parents need in the online, mobile format they want."

Families in Yarmouth and surrounding areas, now have access to more services and supports for young children because of the new Early Years Centre for Yarmouth Central School.

Excerpt: "My government, through the department of Education and Early Childhood Development, has already started a review of regulated child-care programs. This review is focusing on the safety of children in childcare and identifying ways to make childcare more accessible and affordable for families, enhancing the quality of programming for children, and supporting staff who work with our youngest children. Recommendations from the review will be ready in the spring of 2015."

The province is being challenged to make significant changes to the way education is delivered in Nova Scotia. The Minister's Panel on Education released a report Oct. 30, that contains seven themes that represent what almost 19,000 Nova Scotians said are the most important issues to improve the system.