As part of the 2021 Election Commitments, the Government committed $5.1 million to assist regional services to address these issues so they can focus on providing quality education and care for children and supporting regional families.
The Cook Government understands the challenges that many ECEC services in regional Western Australia (WA) are facing as well as the important role the ECEC sector plays in supporting children and their families during the vital early years of a child’s life.
Of this funding, $4.1 million has been allocated to support the viability of regional childcare by working with regional providers to deliver either, advice, support and resources to services, or a ‘clustering’ model.
A clustering model sees the creation of a backbone organisation that smaller centres roll into and that assumes responsibility for financial management, governance, compliance and reporting, allowing centres to focus on day-to-day operations.
The Supporting ECEC Services in Regional WA - New Models and Initiatives Project (the project) advances this commitment and seeks to support the development and implementation of sector and regionally driven solutions to improve the viability and sustainability of regional ECEC services and access to services for families living in regional WA.
Implementation grants up to a value of $1 million (ex GST) per organisation will be made available at the discretion of Department of Communities (Communities) for EOI proposals that can demonstrate feasibility and are ready for implementation.
The State Government understands that some providers may need support to develop business cases for new models/initiatives to demonstrate viability. In recognition of this, $500,000 (ex GST) has been set aside to be provided as grants of $50,000 (ex GST) per organisation for the development of business cases over a period of up to six months.
Following the assessment of business cases, discretionary grants for implementation may be made available. Ensuring there is funding available for projects requiring business planning will be considered as part of the assessment of EOIs received through this Request for EOI process.
Interested organisations are asked to go to Tenders WA for more information and to apply.
