Hon. Tony Simpson
17 regional child care groups receive funding boost
Royalties for Regions invests nearly $200,000 to regional education and care services
In the latest round of Regional Community Child Care Development Fund grants, the State Government has committed nearly $200,000 towards the sustainability of regional education and care services throughout Western Australia.
Community Services Minister Tony Simpson today announced grants totalling $191,892 had been awarded to 17 regional organisations to strengthen the provision of local child care.
"The Regional Community Child Care Development Fund was established to support sustainable models of regional community-managed child care that meet the needs of families living in regional WA," Mr Simpson said.
"Education and care services in regional areas provide a valuable contribution to their communities which are often challenged by distance, isolation and a reliance on volunteers.
"The Government's commitment to ensuring regional families have access to quality, inclusive services for their children is reflected in the diversity of projects that have been funded."
Organisations, including local governments, were invited to apply for grants of up to $15,000 to help them build on the effectiveness of local education and care services. Funding was available for operational expenses, professional development and training, information technology, capital equipment and governance.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the State Government's Royalties for Regions program was investing $9.3 million to the fund over four years.
"These grants are important to ensure parents in regional areas have access to quality community child care, just as they do in metropolitan areas," Mr Redman said.
"With this investment, Royalties for Regions is supporting the longer-term sustainability of community-managed education and care services in regional WA."
Fact File
For more information about the Regional Community Child Care Development Fund grants, contact 6551 8539 or visit http://www.communities.wa.gov.au
Royalties for Regions promotes and facilitates economic, business and social development in regional WA for the benefit of all West Australians
For more information on Royalties for Regions projects visit Bigger Picture - Regions
Community Services Minister's office - 6552 6600
Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6700
Grants recipients:
| Organisation | Project Description | Amount | Region |
| Pemberton Community Child Care Centre Inc | Employ two trainees from the local community for 12 months. On graduating, the trainees will be mentored in the service and employed for the following year. Funds will also be used to install a Wi-Fi system and purchase equipment. | $11,000 | South-West |
| Narrogin Regional Child Care Services Inc | Upgrade equipment and technology to meet the demands of the recent increase of 40 per cent in child care places granted to the centre. Upgrades will reduce administration time and duplication, saving approximately 10 staff hours per week. Costs will involve the purchase of a web-based reporting system for managers, governance training for management committee members, computers and a website. | $15,000 | Great Southern and Wheatbelt |
| Hyden Occasional Child Care Association Inc | Employ an officer on a six-month contract to review and update the service's policies and procedures manual in line with national law and the National Quality Standard. This will also enable the committee to undertake future updates. | $9,372 | Wheatbelt |
| Margaret River Community Childcare Centre | Update the policy and procedures manual to reflect the centre's new structure, including the upgrade of existing information technology. Funds will also be used to create a website, install a secure records storage system and shade sails for the new playground. | $14,909 | South-West |
| Munchkin Manor Child Care (Bunbury) | Purchase a 15kVA solar energy system to offset consumption of fossil fuel-generated mains supply. This will reduce the power consumption costs for the service and contribute to sustainable power generation. | $15,000 | South-West |
| F.R.O.G.S. Early Learning Centre (Nannup) | Review policies and procedures and establish a quality improvement plan for development and coaching. In addition, funds will be used to upgrade the outdoor area and purchase computer equipment and a subscription to QIP development and coaching. | $6,900 | South-West |
| The Fluffy Ducklings Day Care (Wundowie) | The purchase of a desktop computer and printer, which will improve administration processes. | $2,500 | Wheatbelt |
| Shire of Moora | Staff training and professional development will be provided through a series of workshops and conferences, creating opportunities for staff to network with other educators and mentors and build on their skills and knowledge. Funds will also be used for a shade structure and landscaping of the outdoor area. | $15,000 | Wheatbelt |
| College Community Child Care Centre (Bunbury) | Review, update and print the committee handbook and provide compliance training for the management committee. This will reflect changes to the Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standard. | $3,900 | South-West |
| Shire of Harvey | Purchase a two-way radio public address system to ensure effective communication between staff, resulting in a safer environment for children. The centre will also purchase furniture and indoor equipment and upgrade the centre's information technology system. | $15,000 | South-West |
| Mukinbudin Occasional Care (trading as The Boodie Rats) | Staff to undertake a Certificate III and a Diploma in Childcare. Funds will also be used to engage the services of an accountant to complete superannuation and audit requirements of the past year. The purchase of an iPad will assist trainees to undertake study and staff to record daily observations. | $14,988 | Wheatbelt |
| Ewin Early Learning Centre (Kununurra) | Support the administrator and co-ordinator to undertake formal qualifications in bookkeeping and accounting. In addition, funds will be used to purchase a data projector and laptop. | $8,000 | Kimberley |
| Riverlinks Child Care and Community Centre (Australind) | Replace children's furniture in the indoor and outdoor areas. The centre will also upgrade the area around the sandpits to prevent sand spilling onto walkways. | $14,926 | South-West |
| Goldfields Child Care Centre (Kalgoorlie) | Purchase tablets and associated applications to streamline services. This will enable educators to document daily observations and learning journals as they occur. The centre will introduce electronic tablet parental sign in/out procedures. | $11,909 | Goldfields |
| Merredin and Districts Childcare and Play School | Funds will enable an annual audit, upgrade the centre's information technology and develop a website to assist with recruitment. | $5,668 | Wheatbelt |
Lingalonga Early Years Learning Centre (Esperance) | Upgrade the information and technology system with new software aimed at providing quality educational programs for children aged 0-5 years. This will include the purchase of IT equipment, cameras, a photocopier, printer and phone system. | $12,820 | Goldfields |
| Treehouse Child Care Centre (Donnybrook) | Install a 9kW solar energy system to save electricity costs, with capacity for the system to expand if required. This will allow the centre to limit or prevent fee increases and reduce its carbon footprint. | $15,000 | South-West |