Early childhood education and care (ECEC) plays an increasingly critical role in Australian life. Access to quality childcare supports early child development and enables parents and guardians to participate in paid or volunteer work and to train or study. ECEC value adds to our families, communities and region.
The closure of the Jellybeans Childcare Centre in Alpha in 2024 due to staffing and viability challenges, prompted Barcaldine Regional Council to look at alternative models of operation to provide childcare services and initiate this review.
Recognising that many of their challenges are mirrored across the region RAPAD undertook a review of ECEC across the region. The review resulted in the publication of the Early Childhood Education and Care in CWQ report in February 2025.
Project activities and milestones
2026
January
RAPAD contributed a submission to the Senate Committee’s inquiry into the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. Read the submission.
2025
November
RAPAD worked with Barcaldine Regional Council to host childcare provider Lady Gowrie at information sessions in Alpha and Aramac.
June
RAPAD facilitated a webinar Building Early Learning in Your Community focussed on early learning and childcare information and options for CWQ.
More than 25 attendees from across the RAPAD region joined the webinar. RAPAD facilitated the webinar to provide the opportunity for community members and local government staff and councillors to understand more about the ECEC options available within the region and possibilities for delivery of early learning services across the region. Read more
February
Publication of Early Childhood Education and Care in CWQ report. Presented at RAPAD Board meeting in Windorah.