An additional $3.3 million to support vital childcare services in the Parkes electorate was recently announced.
The funding is part of the Coalition government’s Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) and aims to help meet the needs of local families.
Fifteen facilities across the electorate have been included in the CCCF, including local services like Nurruby.
Narrabri’s Nurruby Out Of School Hours (OOSH) service will obtain $95,667.
Meanwhile Nurruby Wee Waa OOSH will receive $89,743 and Nurruby Wee Waa Community Childcare Centre and Preschool has been allocated $156,943.
The funding for these establishments has been granted for “sustainability support”, which Nurruby managing director Prue Jamieson says is essential for many regional childcare services – especially those unique to their community.
“It’ll ensure we can continue offering care to local children,” she said.
“This funding recognises the unique position rural and remote facilities are in when it comes to fluctuating enrolments and difficulty in maintaining services.”
“So, the money will go towards keeping our doors open in the face of typically unviable circumstances.”
Mrs Jamieson explained that the allocations will go towards Nurruby’s service provision.
“It’ll mean we can achieve continuity of staff and make sure our fees are set at reasonable prices,” she said.
“It’s an essential injection for our existing pool of funding.”
The Wee Waa Nurruby OOSH in particular is set to benefit greatly from the financial support.
“Since they’re currently relocating to a new site in Wee Waa, this funding will really help,” Mrs Jamieson said.
“It’ll mean we can continue offering childcare services and increase enrolments.”
“In this case, for-profit organisations wouldn’t take on an OOSH in a small community like Wee Waa because there’s no money to be made from it.”
“So, we’re extremely pleased with the injection, and we’re grateful to be able to continue offering these services in small communities.”
“Especially since childcare facilities like this are so essential to small towns to ensure parents can pursue work and education that supports their growing families.”
Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, also spoke on the importance of CCCF.
“This funding will help local childcare services improve access to quality care, particularly in remote, rural and disadvantaged parts of the Parkes electorate,” he said.
“It will be good for our local kids, good for our hard-working families and ultimately for our community.”
“It will also have a positive economic benefit by allowing more local parents to get back into work or to take on additional hours if they choose.”
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