Healthy Beginnings
Welcoming a new baby into the world can be an exciting time, but it can also be challenging. Healthy Beginnings: Enhanced Home Visiting is a free, voluntary home visiting program offered by Nova Scotia Public Health. Support can begin prenatally and continue for up to three years, and includes guidance on topics related to infant feeding, parenting, child growth and development, parent-child relationships and more.
Your enhanced home visitor can...
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Help complete your Healthy Beginnings intake form for Public Health.
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Visit you at your home or a place that is comfortable for you.
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Listen to and encourage you.
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Follow a curriculum with you about pregnancy, parenting and early childhood development.
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Help you understand your child's behaviour.
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Help you care for yourself as a parent.
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Help you find what you need in our community.
When should I begin the program?
We can start working with you as soon as you find out you are pregnant! While families are welcome to join the program any time before their child is 3 years old, working together from pregnancy onwards can give us the best start.
Your Home Visitor
My name is Nicole Herrit
My name is Nicole, and I am a proud mother of five. With my children now grown, I have developed a strong passion for working with young children and supporting families. Originally from Newfoundland, I moved to Nova Scotia in 1998, where I raised my family. I hold a Diploma in Human Services Counselling and am certified in Handle with Care Canada.
What should I expect?
Every family is unique.
What children learn as infants and toddlers will affect how they will do in school and later in life. Learn how the everyday things we do with our children help them grow and develop. Find out what is available in your community for families. Build confidence in the choices you make as a parent. Your home visitor can help you find the answers that work for your family, as every family is unique!