Closing the Gap in Childcare Services

Council is taking the front-foot in addressing an identified gap in childcare services in the Wakefield region.

Council engaged Deakins University Student, Caroline Rosenberg, to carry out comprehensive research about childcare services in the Wakefield community, and report findings showed that our region could benefit from more.

Due to the lack of services in small towns, people are forced to travel long distance to access childcare. However, if a new service is strategically established for a few small nearby communities, the demand pressure for the existing centre at Balaklava would ease and it also addresses the long commute issue for families in those small communities.

The most prominent theme is that parents have the desire to work, but the lack of or the inaccessibility of childcare services is seen as the biggest hurdle for them to do that.

Childcare service types currently on offer were analysed and results indicated, in an ideal situation, the Wakefield community would need almost twice as many long day-care places as it currently stands.

Although there are improvements to be made in childcare accessibility, survey results also showed excellent feedback in terms of the quality of existing childcare services.

Some key findings from the report were;

* Significant gaps in long day care and out of school hours care (OSHC) services
* Over 50% of people travel 20km or more each way, multiple times a day to access childcare
* Children under two years old are under serviced
* Northern and southern townships rely on services outside of the Council region
* Forecast indicates 76% will increase childcare needs within the next 5 years
* Recognised challenges include appropriate sites and locations, more qualified staff and high costs versus low enrolment numbers

Mayor Reid said, “We know the lack of childcare services in the region may act as a barrier to some of Council’s plans regarding population growth. Wakefield’s strategic plan includes population growth as a key pillar, but without the availability of childcare services it was always going to be difficult to see that growth come about.”

“This research confirms the gap in childcare services, and highlights to Council that there is a need to take action.”

Council received the research report at its meeting on 28 August, and has endorsed to implement the short-term recommendations immediately.

We plan to establish regular communication with the Department of Education and create a childcare service plan, and conduct community information sessions about childcare services to identify the best approach in closing the gap.

Whether it’s through our community listening posts, social media pages or website, we encourage you to listen and watch for opportunities to have a say on how we can help improve childcare services in the Wakefield community.