- $4.1 million election commitment to support the viability of regional early childhood education and care services by working with regional providers
- Expression of interest (EOI) to assist small community-managed, not-for-profit early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in regional areas opens today
- The EOI process seeks innovative proposals for new models and initiatives to support the ECEC sector across regional Western Australia
Today, the Cook Labor Government is delivering on a 2021 election commitment, opening an expression of interest (EOI) to assist small community-managed, not-for-profit early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in regional areas.
The $4.1 million fund will be allocated to support the viability of regional early childhood education and care services by working with regional providers to deliver:
- advice, support and resources to services or,
- a model that creates a backbone organisation that smaller centres can roll into, which assumes responsibility for financial management, governance, compliance and reporting, allowing centres to focus on caring for children.
Grants of up to $1 million will be provided to implement projects that target individual regions, multiple regions, parts of regions or even State-wide.
For providers needing support in developing initiatives and models before implementation, Business Case Development Grants of up to $50,000 will also be available.
The Cook Government understands the vital role ECEC services play in regional economies, enabling parents to return to work, supporting the operation of regional businesses and ensuring essential services are available to regional communities.
The EOI is open until 2.30pm, Friday, 3 November 2023.
For further information and to apply, visit: www.tenders.wa.gov.au
As stated by Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"High-quality early childhood education and care is vital to meeting the needs of working families in regional communities.
"I understand the challenges many ECEC services in regional WA face and the critical role the sector plays in supporting children and their families during the early years of a child's life.
"This EOI process is about enabling local people who understand their regional area best to put forward innovative local solutions that will ensure the viability of early childhood education and care services in their community.
"I believe that working with the community and the sector we can help address the specific challenges in regional areas and continue setting children up for the best start in life."
