AVONPORT, N.S. — Accessing the pre-primary program will be easier for many families with the introduction of bus service at several more sites this fall.
L.E. Shaw Elementary in Avonport is among the 56 sites to receive pre-primary bus service this fall. Sites receiving bus service this September are in areas where all eligible pre-primary children in a class could be accommodated on existing buses and, in some cases, where participation was low.
“Transportation has always been a barrier for rural Nova Scotians in accessing some government programs, so this announcement is great news,” Kings South MLA Keith Irving said. “This initiative will help families in the L.E. Shaw catchment area access the successful Pre-Primary Program.”
The remaining pre-primary sites will receive bus service in 2020 when pre-primary is available to all children across the province. Pre-primary is currently available in 201 school communities.
The province will expand the on-site Nova Scotia Before and After Program to 40 sites this fall, with continued expansion where needed in 2020. This physical activity-based program will be delivered by approved regulated child care or recreation providers.
The program is open to all children from pre-primary to Grade 6. It will be aligned with the province’s Let’s Get Moving Nova Scotia action plan.
GO ONLINE: For more information about busing, pre-primary and a list of locations that will receive busing in September, visit https://www.ednet.ns.ca/pre-primary. A list of Nova Scotia Before and After locations and more information about the program is available at https://novascotia.ca/BAP.