Monday, February 10, 2025

10 WA councils receive final round of childcare worker funding

Ten regional local governments are to receive a total of $250,000 in grant funding as part of a WA Government program to attract and retain early childhood educators in regional Western Australia.

It is the fourth and final round of the Attraction and Retention Packages for Regional Childcare Workers Program, which has provided more than $1 million in grants to regional councils to fund initiatives that help bring in and keep on early childhood educators.

The funds are used for initiatives including training, relocation costs, and travel allowances, as well as setting up traineeships and partnerships with local TAFEs to attract more early childhood workers.   

Through a partnership with the Commonwealth Government, Shire of Christmas Island has also received $25,000 in Commonwealth funding through the program.

“The Cook Government knows access to quality early childhood and care services plays a critical role in setting children up for success later in life,” said Early Childhood Education Minister, Sabine Winton.

“For early childhood education and care services, attracting a high-quality workforce can be challenging, particularly in regional areas.

“By providing grants to attract and retain early childhood education and care workers to regional WA, we’re giving more children a stronger start in life and providing more parents the flexibility to return to the workforce.

“It has been fantastic to hear about the initiatives that have been delivered across the State as a result of this program.

“I want to congratulate the successful local governments and commend the incredible work that early childhood educators in Western Australia do every day in supporting children to thrive.”

The program is delivered by the Department of Communities with the support of the Western Australian Local Government Association and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Attraction and Retention Packages for Regional Childcare Workers Program 2025 recipients:

Local governmentProject nameAmount fundedRegion
Shire of Boyup BrookStaff Sustainability: now and into the future$25,000South West
Shire of PerenjoriRegional Early Education and Development Inc – Perenjori Project$16,985.07Mid West
City of Kalgoorlie-BoulderCity of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Early Childhood Education and Care Educator Awards Program$25,000Goldfields-Esperance
Shire of CollieCollie Childcare Workforce Development Program$25,000South West
Shire of EsperanceEsperance-Ravensthorpe Professional Development Series$49,799.93Goldfields-Esperance
Shire of GnowangerupSupporting Early Childhood Educators – Study and Retention Bonuses$25,000Great Southern
Shire of KentCentral Great Southern Conference 2025$12,000Great Southern
Shire of KulinKulin Childcare Centre$21,215Wheatbelt
Shire of Wyndham-East KimberleyChildcare Worker Housing Support Program$25,000Kimberley
Town of Port HedlandAnnual Community Childcare Grants Program$25,000Pilbara
Shire of Christmas Island*Commonwealth Government fundedStaff Development and Incentives Package for Christmas Island Day Care Staff$25,000Indian Ocean Territories

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