Ten regional local governments are set to share in more than $250,000 in grant funding as part of the WA Government’s Attraction and Retention Packages for Regional Child Care Workers Program.
The recipients include the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Council, which will receive more than $74,000 for its Goldfields Professional Development Project, delivered in partnership with the Shire of Coolgardie and Shire of Leonora councils.
The project will contribute to the attraction and retention of qualified early childhood educators in the Goldfields, while taking the unique needs of the region into account, the Government said in a statement.
“The importance of having quality early childhood educators in regional areas such as Kalgoorlie cannot be understated,” said Kalgoorlie MLA, Ali Kent.
“I am proud to be part of a State Government that is committed to building the capacity of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector across Western Australia.
“I look forward to seeing how the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s Goldfields Professional Development Project will help contribute to building a strong Early Childhood Education and Care workforce in the Goldfields region.”
It brings the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s total funding received through the Program to almost $100,000.
“Ensuring that Western Australians have access to high quality Early Childhood Education and Care is a priority of the Cook Government,” said Early Childhood Education Minister, Sabine Winton.
“We know that access to quality Early Childhood Education and Care is vital to meeting the needs of young children and families in regional communities.
“It also plays an important role in regional economies, enabling parents to return to work and supporting the operation of regional businesses.
“These grants to attract and retain early childhood educators will ensure more young children have the best possible start to life.”
Today’s announcement of Round 3 of the Program sees a total of $781,066 delivered to 23 regional local government authorities across Western Australia.
Attraction and Retention Packages for Regional Child Care Workers Program 2024 recipients:
| Local Government | Project Name | Amount Funded | Region |
| City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder | Goldfields Professional Development Project (delivered in partnership with Shire of Coolgardie and Shire of Leonora) | $74,654.70 | Goldfields |
| Shire of Cunderdin | Cunderdin – Attraction and Retention of Staff | $17,520 | Wheatbelt |
| Shire of Donnybrook Balingup | Attraction and Retention of Child Care Workers in Shire of Donnybrook – Balingup | $25,000 | South West |
| Shire of Dumbleyung | Dumbleyung Family Day Care Setup & Worker Attraction Project | $12,988 | Wheatbelt |
| Shire of Gnowangerup | Cost of Living Relief for Valued Regional Educators | $20,798.05 | Great Southern |
| Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup | Support the Tambellup Family Daycare in delivering ECEC Services | $19,800.05 | Great Southern |
| Shire of Williams | Professional Development and Educational Resources | $12,643.10 | Great Southern, Kimberley, Wheatbelt |
| Shire of Shark Bay | Housing Subsidy | $20,798.05 | Gascoyne |
| Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley | Childcare Worker Housing Support Program | $20,798.05 | Kimberley |
| Shire of Denmark | Retention and Attraction of Staff for Gumnuts Occasional Daycare | $25,000 | Great Southern |
