Hon Sabine Winton BA BPS MLA

Hon Sabine Winton BA BPS MLA

Minister for Early Childhood Education; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services

    $200,000 in grants to attract childcare educators to regional WA

    25/05/2023 11:00 AM
     
    • Eight regional local governments across WA awarded grants to attract and retain childcare educators
    • Grants fund incentives such as subsidised accommodation, relocation costs and further training
    • Initiative forms part of McGowan Government election commitment to attract and retain childcare workers in our regions

    Eight regional local governments have been awarded $200,000 in grants to attract and retain childcare workers in regional WA.

     

    The grants form part of the McGowan Government's Attraction and Retention Packages for Regional Child Care Workers Program, which has now delivered $530,000 to 17 regional local governments for tailored incentives to attract workers to their town.

     

    The funds can be used for initiatives including training, relocation costs and subsidised accommodation, as well as setting up traineeships and partnerships with local TAFEs and campaigns to attract more people to take up early childhood education as a career.

     

    The program is delivered with the support of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).

     

    More information can be found on the Department of Communities website.

     

    Comments attributed to Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton:

     

    "This initiative recognises the importance of attracting and retaining quality early childhood educators in our regions, as we know the benefits these services have for children, their families and the wider community.

     

    "The program acknowledges there is no one-size-fits-all approach and that local governments are well placed to identify how to encourage workers to their towns.

     

    "More than half a million dollars has now been awarded through this program and I look forward to seeing how the local governments use these grants to bring educators to the regions."

     

    Minister's office - 6552 6100

     

    Attraction and Retention Packages for Regional Child Care Workers Program 2023 recipients


    Local GovernmentProgram NameAmount FundedRegion
    Shire of RavensthorpeRavensthorpe Childcare Workers Professional Development$22,399Goldfields-Esperance
    Shire of Lake GraceSupport Gnowangerup Family Support Association in their delivery of childcare service at Newdegate$25,000Great Southern
    Shire of GnowangerupTravel Subsidy to Support Educators$32,130Great Southern
    Shire of Shark BaySubsidised accommodation for remote area, in venue Family Day Care Educators$25,000Gascoyne
    Shire of Wyndham-East KimberleyChildcare worker housing support$36,000Kimberley
    Shire of CarnarvonAdvancing Early Year Futures Stage 2 Project$25,000Gascoyne
    Shire of KentCentral Great Southern Early Childhood Education and Care Conference 2023$10,000Great Southern
    Town of Port HedlandTown of Port Hedland - Community Childcare Grants Program$25,000Pilbara