Coorong council wants more childcare options
Residents across the district are being invited to contribute to a feasibility report on services in the region.
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The Coorong District Council is planning to map and address a lack of childcare within the region.
In response to the district being identified as a childcare desert in 2022, the council has engaged Community Early Learning Australia (CELA) to map the local need in more detail.
Childcare deserts mean there is a total absence of services, or there are too few available to meet demand, making families travel further for care.
The council hopes the report will highlight shortages in childcare and early education and provide recommendations on addressing the needs of the community.
Coorong district residents and ratepayers are being encouraged to voice their concerns, and to highlight challenges and viable solutions.
Mayor Paul Simmons said that, with the current dry conditions, many farming families were looking to seek employment outside of the farm.
“Several of our townships are expected to continue growing over the next decade, and childcare availability will be one of the key factors for families when making the decision to move to our district,” he said.
“It’s important that we accommodate and support this growth.”
The feasibility report is scheduled for completion in July.
Number of childcare places per child is below average in the Coorong district
In 2022, a report found the Coorong district had an insufficient number of childcare vacancies to accommodate the current and projected growth of children aged under four years.
In more recent data, which included not only daycare/childcare but preschools, the Coorong had 0.392 facilities per child – up from 0.119 three years ago.
In South Australia the average number of places per child is 0.479.
A recent Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care found that the South Australian Department for Education had resisted the expansion of its rural care program, involving providing early childhood education and care services.
It’s not surprising that regional and remote areas were found to have a much higher percentage of childcare deserts around Australia.
The report also stated that in regional areas it was doubly important to unlock additional working hours for parents, where there was such a shortage of workers.
Where can I provide feedback?
The Coorong community will be able to provide feedback online and in person until 5pm on May 30.
In person drop-in community sessions will held in school libraries on the following dates:
- Tailem Bend: 8.30-10.30am next Tuesday, May 13
- Tintinara: 8.30-10am next Wednesday, May 14
- Meningie: 8.30-10am next Thursday, May 15
- Coomandook: 9-10am next Friday, May 16
Alternatively, you can have your say online.
- Have your say: Complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com; email council@coorong.sa.gov.au; or visit any council office during business hours.
- More information: www.coorong.sa.gov.au/stay-informed.
