General News
6 July, 2024
Council Meeting Notes - Childcare strategy
Gilgandra Region Community Childcare Strategy
Draft documents for the Community Childcare Strategy have been presented to council. Insight Consulting Australia was engaged to assist in developing the strategy, aiming to improve access to early childhood education and care for children under the age of 12. Insight Consulting identified that the Gilgandra region faces a number of challenges including a lack of outside school hours care (OHSC) for primary school children; waiting times of up to two years for parents and carers seeking childcare; and severe workforce shortages across the nation, affecting local providers.
Council has stated that its ambition is to partner with childcare providers and schools to establish an OHSC service in Gilgandra; expand the supply of long daycare and preschool places in Gilgandra; and facilitate a functioning childcare workforce pipeline.
