{"id":64359,"date":"2026-05-12T10:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T13:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaker.ca\/?p=64359"},"modified":"2026-05-12T10:03:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T13:03:00","slug":"new-beaver-bank-child-care-centre-truly-exciting-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/?p=64359","title":{"rendered":"New Beaver Bank child-care centre \u201ctruly exciting news.&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56506\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56506 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Mini Header 2\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56506\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56506\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-63688 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-04-08 10:35:32\" data-filename=\"Creative-Minds-Ad-780-x-2501-e1775655291224-600x200.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100090386733545\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Creative-Minds-Ad-780-x-2501-e1775655291224-600x200.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56506 slide-63688 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Creative Minds Ad 780 x 250(1)\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56517 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:19:19\" data-filename=\"steve-mac-new-ad-laker-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefinancialengineer.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/steve-mac-new-ad-laker-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56506 slide-56517 msDefaultImage\" title=\"steve-mac-new-ad-laker\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-62054 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-01-31 20:53:23\" data-filename=\"The-breath-Factory-600x200-1.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebreathfactory.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/The-breath-Factory-600x200-1.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56506 slide-62054 msDefaultImage\" title=\"The breath Factory 600x200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BEAVER BANK: <\/strong>Standing at a muddy construction site on Windgate Drive, federal and provincial officials announced Monday morning more than $2 million in funding toward a new child-care facility expected to create 194 spaces in the growing Beaver Bank area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The new centre, being built by the It Takes a Village Daycare Society, is expected to open by December 2026. It will include 20 infant spaces, an area identified as being in particularly high demand, and the building will be three storeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The project carries a total estimated cost of about $5.1 million, with the remainder of the funding coming through financing.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_6125-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64369\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MLA Brian Wong speaks at the announcement in Beaver Bank. (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The announcement was made by Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank MLA Brian Wong and Sackville-Bedford-Preston MP Braedon Clark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wong called the project \u201ctruly exciting news\u201d for families in the area, saying parents regularly contact his office asking when more child-care spaces will become available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere are 194 additional spaces, which means 194 more families will gain access to care and the support they need during those critical early years,\u201d Wong said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56530\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56530 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"In Story Ad 2\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56530\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56530\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-62340 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-02-12 23:09:57\" data-filename=\"Eye-Exams-e1770937786634.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sackvilleoptometry.com\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Eye-Exams-e1770937786634.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56530 slide-62340 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Eye Exams\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56531 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:52:27\" data-filename=\"BLONDE_780x250-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninelocksbrewing.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BLONDE_780x250-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56530 slide-56531 msDefaultImage\" title=\"BLONDE_780x250\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-60758 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-12-02 17:37:33\" data-filename=\"The-laker-ad-Banner-advertize-1436x578-1-e1769907115378-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelaker.ca\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-laker-ad-Banner-advertize-1436x578-1-e1769907115378-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56530 slide-60758 msDefaultImage\" title=\"The-laker-ad-Banner-advertize-1436x578\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56514\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56514 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"EH Mini Header 2\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56514\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56514\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56515 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:09:25\" data-filename=\"The-McCooeye-Group-Laker-News-Ad-February-2026.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/themccooeyegroup.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/The-McCooeye-Group-Laker-News-Ad-February-2026.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56514 slide-56515 msDefaultImage\" title=\"The McCooeye Group - Laker News Ad - February 2026\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56516 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:11:18\" data-filename=\"GNS-cruiser-ad-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnsequipmentrentals.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GNS-cruiser-ad-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56514 slide-56516 msDefaultImage\" title=\"GNS-cruiser-ad\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>He said the project is the 17th announced under Nova Scotia\u2019s major child-care infrastructure program since 2021 and noted the province has now surpassed its goal of creating 9,500 new child-care spaces, with more than 9,600 spaces added provincewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wong also pointed to provincial investments in higher wages, pension benefits and workforce training for early childhood educators as part of broader efforts to strengthen the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_6115-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64368\" style=\"width:566px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MP Braedon Clark speaks about the importance of the announcement for surrounding communities. (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Clark said the new centre comes as communities stretching from Lower Sackville and Beaver Bank to Fall River, Waverley, Windsor Junction, and Enfield continue to see rapid growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s an increasing demand for child-care spaces. We see it, we feel it,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is an exciting opportunity for parents to have some confidence in the system that they\u2019ll be able to have good quality childcare and a good location close to their homes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clark said the addition of 20 infant spaces is especially important because infant care remains among the hardest spaces for families to secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56526\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56526 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"In Story Ad 1\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56526\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56526\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56529 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:50:06\" data-filename=\"Brian-Wong-Advert-780-x-250-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/brianwongmla\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Brian-Wong-Advert-780-x-250-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56526 slide-56529 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Brian-Wong-Advert-780-x-250\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56527 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:45:43\" data-filename=\"fr-animal-hospital-1.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fallriveranimalhospital.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fr-animal-hospital-1.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56526 slide-56527 msDefaultImage\" title=\"fr animal hospital 1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56528 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:46:57\" data-filename=\"FR-Law-mini-header-1-600x200.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FR-Law-mini-header-1-600x200.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56526 slide-56528 msDefaultImage\" title=\"FR-Law-mini-header (1)\" \/><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_6138-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64370\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It Takes A Village Society&#8217;s Executive director Mehrad Mohammadkhani at the announcement on site in Beaver Bank, explaining the process to fill the 194 spots, (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Executive director Mehrad Mohammadkhani said demand is already evident based on waitlists at the society\u2019s existing locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The organization currently operates 154 spaces between two centres, but has more than 1,700 children on waitlists. Some families are already registering babies for care years in advance, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mohammadkhani said the Windgate Drive location was selected because it can serve multiple surrounding communities, while helping address a shortage of nearby daycare facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe thought that it has very good access and we could support different areas at the same time,\u201d he said, noting families from Sackville, Fall River, Beaver Bank and surrounding communities would all be eligible to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56179\" style=\"max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56179 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Biz Card\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"500\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56179\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56179\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56180 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 15:53:39\" data-filename=\"Maritime-Car-Wash-Biz-Card-300-x-200-1000x400.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maritimecarwash.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Maritime-Car-Wash-Biz-Card-300-x-200-1000x400.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56180 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Maritime-Car-Wash-Biz-Card-300-x-200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56190 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 16:16:30\" data-filename=\"Billy-councillor-ad-1000x400.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.halifax.ca\/city-hall\/districts-councillors\/district-15\/councillor-billy-gillis\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Billy-councillor-ad-1000x400.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56190 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Billy-councillor-ad\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56187 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 16:03:34\" data-filename=\"Cathy-ad-Laker-1000x400.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.halifax.ca\/city-hall\/districts-councillors\/district-1\/deputy-mayor-cathy-deagle-gammon\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cathy-ad-Laker-1000x400.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56187 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Cathy-ad-Laker\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56184 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 15:59:09\" data-filename=\"Fourth-lock-biz-card-300-by-200-1000x400.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefourthlock.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Fourth-lock-biz-card-300-by-200-1000x400.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56184 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Fourth-lock-biz-card-300-by-200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56181 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 15:55:00\" data-filename=\"FR-Guardian-Biz-card-with-phone-300-x-200-1-1000x400.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guardian-ida-remedysrx.ca\/en\/nova-scotia\/fall-river\/fall-river-guardian-7001327?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=maps&amp;utm_campaign=local_presence\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FR-Guardian-Biz-card-with-phone-300-x-200-1-1000x400.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56181 msDefaultImage\" title=\"FR-Guardian-Biz-card-with-phone-300-x-200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56185 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 16:00:31\" data-filename=\"Fall-River-Health-biz-card-1000x400.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fallriverhealth.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Fall-River-Health-biz-card-1000x400.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56185 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Fall-River-Health-biz-card\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56183 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 15:57:24\" data-filename=\"KW-Realty-Biz-card-300-x-200-1000x400.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jerryandannettemurphy.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/KW-Realty-Biz-card-300-x-200-1000x400.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56183 msDefaultImage\" title=\"KW-Realty-Biz-card-300-x-200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56501\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56501 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Mini Header 1\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56501\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56501\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-63456 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-30 13:24:56\" data-filename=\"Mini-Header_Amy-Seymour200x600.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.royallepage.ca\/en\/agent\/nova-scotia\/enfield\/amy-seymour\/56178\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mini-Header_Amy-Seymour200x600.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56501 slide-63456 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Mini Header_Amy Seymour200x600\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-61393 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-12-31 14:34:23\" data-filename=\"Banner-Ad-Lightworks-2-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lightworksbookkeeping.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Banner-Ad-Lightworks-2-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56501 slide-61393 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Banner Ad Lightworks 2\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56502 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 03:55:38\" data-filename=\"Laker-Ad-2025-600-x-200-px.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barracudamechanical.com\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Laker-Ad-2025-600-x-200-px.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56501 slide-56502 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Laker Ad 2025 (600 x 200 px)\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_6188-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64372\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The new facility has construction well underway. (Healey photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>He said there will be no geographic boundaries for children attending the new centre, but families from the surrounding communities will be prioritized when possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe definitely prioritize the families in this community in particular,\u201d Mohammadkhani said, adding placements will also depend on factors such as when applications are submitted and what age category spaces are available.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>He said the provincial infrastructure funding was critical to making the project possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat was the major factor, to be honest,\u201d Mohammadkhani said. \u201cIf it wasn\u2019t, we wouldn\u2019t be having this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Funding for the project comes through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which supports expanding access to affordable and inclusive child care across the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56509\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56509 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"EH Mini Header 1\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56509\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56509\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56510 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 04:23:45\" data-filename=\"Anne-McFarlane-Laker-594x198.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.burchellmacdougall.com\/people\/anne-mcfarlane\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Anne-McFarlane-Laker-594x198.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56509 slide-56510 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Anne McFarlane Laker\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56513 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:07:29\" data-filename=\"ckg-local-choice-ad-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ckgelevator.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ckg-local-choice-ad-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56509 slide-56513 msDefaultImage\" title=\"ckg-local-choice-ad\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BEAVER BANK: Standing at a muddy construction site on Windgate Drive, federal and provincial officials announced Monday morning more than $2 million in funding toward a new child-care facility expected to create 194 spaces in the growing Beaver Bank area. The new centre, being built by the It Takes a Village Daycare Society, is expected [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":64371,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,957],"tags":[10,4587,2245,10974,362,10975,10976,48,1253],"class_list":["post-64359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-news","tag-beaver-bank","tag-braedon-clark","tag-brian-wong","tag-childcare-announcement","tag-federal-government","tag-it-takes-a-village-society","tag-mehrad-mohammadkhani","tag-n-s","tag-pc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=64359"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64359\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/64371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=64359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=64359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=64359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}