The forum was held as initial findings from RAPAD’s Regional Childcare Access Survey revealed the scale of the issue. Across the first 60 survey responses to date:
- Families collectively reported more than $1.6 million in lost potential income
- 9 in 10 families cannot get the care they need
- Half of families are considering leaving the region due to lack of available care
RAPAD CEO Morgan Gronold said the survey put the numbers behind lived experiences across the region not captured in national data and will help shape advocacy and solutions fit for the region.
“We know this is an issue experienced across the country, but add to that our vast distances, isolated rural families, small populations, resourcing limitations and it just magnifies it beyond comparison.”
“There is no single solution. But what this forum demonstrates is that we need decision-makers to continue to come out like this, to work with councils, service providers, educators and communities to deliver the trials and pilots, put the investment behind us, whether that’s looking at training or different models of care that fit our communities.
Member for Gregory, Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland Sean Dillon MP, joined the forum discussions providing insight into state government programs and policy opportunities as well as sharing his family’s own experience of accessing care in the region.
“We appreciate the support of elected state representatives in getting behind us, including Assistant Minister Dillon our local representative and member of the Crisafulli government joining us in Blackall.
“He’s a strong advocate for our region down in Brisbane and this was a great opportunity to have him at the table actively participating in the forum program, hearing directly from families, providers and local representatives, and sharing his commitment to continue working with our councils and communities.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Education, Early Years and Putting Queensland Kids First, Jess Pugh MP also travelled from Brisbane to join the forum in-person with Assistant Minister for Education, Early Years and Putting Queensland Kids First Bree James MP and SA’s Tom Venning MP joining the discussion online.
“This is a great region to live, work and raise a family and we want to keep it that way,” Mr Gronold said.
“Our towns from support major agricultural and tourism industries that pump millions into the economy, but they need people to keep them running. Health services, schools, councils and local businesses all depend on being able to attract and retain workers, and those workers need reliable early childhood education and care.”
“When care is unavailable, qualified people remain outside the workforce, business opportunities are lost, employers struggle to fill roles and families begin questioning whether they can stay in the region.”
RAPAD Senior Project Coordinator Rachael Webster said the range of forum attendees brought incredible knowledge and experience to the discussion and plans for action.
“It was truly humbling to recognise the many years of collective experience in the sector in the room alone, with even more online, all focussed on real action,” Ms Webster said.
“It just shows we’re not at square one and the regions are already stepping up and ready to make things happen.”
“Councils, communities and service providers have been working in this space and identifying approaches to work in their own towns.”
“The forum gave people the opportunity to share that experience, learn from other service models and identify the barriers that continue to prevent good ideas from becoming sustainable services.”
Key issues raised included educator recruitment and retention, access to qualifications and training, regulatory and compliance requirements, staff housing, service viability and the need for flexible delivery models for small and geographically dispersed communities.
“We don’t want shortcuts or anything less than quality early learning and care and care outcomes. Part of that is recognising the important job our educators do and that in turn its recognised as a sustainable and attractive career in our region,” Ms Webster said.
“Over the coming weeks we’ll be looking further into our survey findings and the forum outcomes.”
“This will inform RAPAD’s advocacy to the Queensland and Australian governments and support practical proposals for locally designed pilots, workforce initiatives and sustainable service models.
The Regional Childcare Access Survey is a joint initiative of the seven councils of Central West Queensland and delivered with The Future Care Project. The survey remains open, and RAPAD is encouraging more families and carers to contribute. https://thefuturecareproject.org.au/survey
Learn more about RAPAD Early Childhood Education and Care Alliance visit: www.rapad.com.au/projects/rapad-ecec-alliance-of-councils
Media contact: Aleisha Domrow adomrow@rapad.com.au – 0423 116 865
Program contact: Rachael Webster rwebster@rapad.com.au – 0428 727 605
Thank you to the organisations represented by registered attendees:
The forum included community members, parents and carers, along with representatives from:
| Australia’s Leading Home Care Agency
Barcaldine Regional Council Barcoo Shire Council Blackall Community Blackall State School Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Boulia Shire Council CQUniversity Diamantina Shire Council Queensland Department of Education Enhance Family Day Care and In Home Care Family Day Care Queensland Kath Dickson Institute Lady Gowrie Queensland Longreach RAFS |
Mundubbera Family Day Care
North Burnett Community Service NWQICSS Boulia Community Support Service Outback Futures Outback Independent Living QCPIMH Queensland Kids Partnership Queensland Early Years Workforce Institute Queensland Health RAPAD RDA Mid North Coast Southern Queensland Rural Health TAFE Queensland |
Talkers and Eaters Speech Pathology
Tambo State School Tambo Tourism Business Association Inc The Future Care Project The Learning Nest Co. The Parenthood Uniting Early Learning UnitingCare UnitingCare Rural Family Support Service.
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