Almost 200 additional childcare places will be created across far western New South Wales, as the Minns Labor Government continues work to increase the local workforce and ensure children across the state have access to high-quality education and care.
Over the next 18 months, 44 additional childcare places will be created in Broken Hill, 40 in Bourke and 102 in Cobar - a total of 186 additional places
Broken Hill, Bourke and Cobar have some of the highest gaps in childcare services statewide. Not only does this impact local children but creates a barrier to parents returning to work and prevents skilled workers with young families moving to these areas.
Delivered through the Minns Government Regional Development Trust Fund's Western NSW Workforce Activation Package, $5.6 million will be made available to successful service providers immediately.
A further $4.4 million will be made available to further expand childcare places across western New South Wales early next year.
Busy Kids Childcare - Broken Hill
Over $1.4 million will be invested in Busy Kids Broken Hill to double the childcare's existing capacity from 44 to 88 places for children aged 0 to 6 years old, creating 9 additional full-time jobs.
This investment will support the construction of a new adaptable daycare classroom as well as other necessary centre upgrades to increase its capacity and service delivery.
Further, this money will allow for the employment of additional staff and programs to support their professional development, wellbeing and retention.
Cobar Shire Council
102 additional childcare places, and 18 additional jobs will be created in Cobar, with over $1.3 million being provided to Cobar Shire Council to support locally run childcare services.
This funding will support relocating Cobar Out of School Hours care from a shared hall to a dedicated facility at the Kubby House Childcare Centre.
Currently, the service operates in a rented church hall, causing frequent interruptions to the service to accommodate other users.
Cobar Shire Council will also undertake work to expand the number of Family Day Care Operations. Family Day Cares are trained and registered educators who provide childcare from their homes. The Council will use this Government funding to cover the costs associated with these operations including, CPR and First Aid training, working with children checks, public liability insurance and professional development sessions.
A comprehensive attraction and retention package will also be developed, which will include relocation assistance, rental assistance and formal training plans.
Bourke and District Children's Services
$1.85 million will be utilised by Bourke & District Children's Services to created 20 additional childcare places for children aged 0-3, and 4 full time jobs.
This work will include the construction of a new childcare room to accommodate the children, with three child accessible bathrooms and two craft sinks.
To support staff recruitment and retention, relocation support will be offered to attract new staff and retention bonuses will be available to encourage long term service.
Bourke & District Children's Services - Out of Hours Care
More than $900,000 is being invested to support Bourke & District Children's Services establish a 20-place Out of School Hours Care program, operational five days a week for 40 weeks of the year.
Out of hours care offers care to school aged children before and after school.
Infrastructure improvements will be made to the services facility to ensure it is fit for purpose. This includes replacing the roof and installing a new kitchen for child food preparation.
A professional early childhood consultant will also be retained to ensure this new service is established to operate at the highest possible standard.
Comprehensive training and development programs will be provided to upskill staff, as well as relocation expenses offered to attract staff and retention bonuses for long term care providers.
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:
"This program is a win-win, and one of the best things a government can invest in.
"Not only does it increase access for children in our state to quality care and education, it also removes one of the barriers facing parents who may want to re-enter the workforce or enter it for the first time.
"I've heard countless stories of essential and skilled workers with young families who had considered making a move to one of our fantastic regional communities but were concerned about being able to access childcare. My genuine hope is that news of these extra places helps them to take that leap."
Prue Car, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning said:
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring children across NSW can kick-start their education in high-quality facilities - no matter their postcode.
"Improving equity in access to early education and care in the regions is vital for young families, and ensures our youngest learners are given every opportunity to thrive.
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering a plan to build a stronger, more accessible education system, for families across the state."
Tara Moriarty, Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Western NSW said:
"This investment from the Regional Development Trust will change lives in Western NSW.
"Not only will this package improve the lives of families in Broken Hill, Bourke, and Cobar, it will also unlock local economic opportunities by enabling workforce participation in organisations that are keen for workers.
"Our Government is focused on growing regional economies through smart, targeted investments that deliver positive and real outcomes in a short time."
Roy Butler, Independent Member for Barwon said:
"Access to childcare is often a choke point for people returning to work or who choose to live in regional NSW. I know professionals who have chosen not to move to these communities because of the lack of access to childcare. This funding will go some way towards ensuring that places are available for professionals to move to our regions, and I thank the NSW Government."
Jenny French, Director of Busy Kids Childcare, Broken Hill said:
"We are thrilled and incredibly grateful to receive this grant, which with our existing plans will assist Busy Kids to more than double our childcare capacity and support even more families in our community.
"This funding will help us to create up to twelve new staffing positions, build a flexible new daycare classroom, and make improvements to our facilities.
"It will also support ongoing professional development and well-being initiatives for our staff, helping us maintain a nurturing and high-quality environment for the children in our care."
Jarrod Marsden, Mayor of Cobar Shire Council said:
"We are very excited and appreciative to the State Government for providing these funds that will allow us to attract families to Cobar and support the liveability of the town."
Prue Ritchie, General Manager of Bourke & District Children's Services said:
"Bourke and District Children's Services is delighted by the investment of the NSW Government to increase the number of Early Childhood and Out of School Hours Care places available in Bourke.
"The provision of high-quality Early Childhood Education and Care services has multiple benefits for the community, as an economic enabler for workforce participation in remote communities, addressing social disadvantage, linking to health and family supports, and creating employment opportunities.
"We are excited for the children, parents and carers and collaborative partners through Maranguka, and look forward to getting started!"
