Eliza Berlage, Naracoorte Community News

Mothers in Kingston and Edenhope have channelled their frustration about the local childcare shortage into action by working with councils and government to find solutions.

With existing services at or close to capacity and waiting lists up to 12 months, many parents have been unable to work or study, and some have considered leaving altogether.

Reedy Creek mother of two Kirsty Starling said locals from Kingston to Keilira had been “working tirelessly” on the issue for five years.

“There are 49 children on the waitlist as we speak,” Mrs Starling said.

“We have people leaving our country town and not coming to live here because the services are inadequate.”

In 2019 Kingston District Council assisted in the development of Kingston Early Learning and Childcare Services (KELCS) working group. It comprises Early Learning Centre and Kingston Community School Governing Council members, parent representatives, council staff and elected members.

Ms Starling said since its inception, KELCS has undertaken “hundreds of hours of research”, including conducting community surveys, reinstating the third worker program at the Kingston Early Learning Centre until the end of 2021, establishing a working relationship with Regional Development Limestone Coast, and making submissions to the Department for Education’s Rural Care Review and the PIRSA Regional Development Strategy.

The group’s recent survey received 88 responses – a 30 per cent increase since 2019.

Findings:

• 93 per cent said they would access childcare or OSHC if it was more readily available
• 86 per cent said a lack of care was impacting their ability to take up work or study
• 76 per cent said they would access long day care over the next five years
• 83 per cent said they would access OSHC over the next five years

Ms Starling said KELCS hoped to attract funding to build a new facility to accommodate the growing number of children in the district. The estimated cost of the facility is $1.2 million.

“To give this rural area an equal opportunity to those in urban areas is our ultimate goal,” she said. “We know that early intervention and early learning provides better outcomes.”

Mrs Starling said it was “imperative” the new facility be co-located with the existing centre at Kingston Community School, to allow staff to work across the sites.

KELCS has recently secured a commitment from state education minister John Gardner for a $10,500 grant to employ a consultant to develop a business case for the centre.

“It’s a positive step forward,” Ms Starling said. “But it would have been helpful five years ago.”

The May 26 meeting at state parliament in Adelaide, was also attended by Member for Mackillop Nick McBride who acknowledged that Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin was “well aware” of the issue and would also provide support for a solution.

Kingston District Council CEO Nat Traeger said elected representatives would need to formally approve the project – expected to occur at the ordinary meeting yesterday Tuesday June 29.

Following that, council and KELCS would need to determine the terms of reference and objectives for the consultant and seek a minimum of two quotes.

Ms Traeger said the whole process was likely to be completed in two to three months.

West Wimmera Shire Council funds study

After the only childcare worker in Edenhope resigned, local mothers submitted a budget request to West Wimmera Shire Council for $50,000 to develop a business plan for a childcare centre.

However, the request – backed by dozens of local parents, business operators, health care and education providers – was discussed behind closed doors at a special council meeting on June 9, with no minutes or recording available.

Edenhope mother of two Shelley Hartle, whose children were cared for by the former family day care worker, said she was “disappointed” that the important discussion had been done in secret.

“(The lack of childcare) has been an active issue for ten years…” Ms Hartle said. “But I recently found a letter of support from someone who tried to get council’s attention on the matter about 30 years ago.

“There seems to have always been some seemingly valid issue as to why council doesn’t sort it out.”

Ms Hartle said the shortage was now critical, with 38 children currently needing care – expected to rise to 41 by the end of the year.

“Another 48 babies were born (in the area) just this year,” she said. “It’s an issue that is only going to become more desperate.”

Amid council budget discussions, the group detailed their concerns and demands in a letter addressed to Mayor Bruce Meyer.

The letter said independent experts should carry out a study, rather than council. It also took umbrage at the suggestion by Mr Meyer that family day care providers could fill the service gap.

“To accommodate 49 children (31 on the busiest day of the week), as indicated by an Edenhope District Memorial Hospital survey, you would need up to 14 family day care operations with five relief staff,” it said. “A childcare centre, which has been proposed for more than a decade, is a far more sustainable and reliable option.

“An Edenhope school is on the verge of losing a teacher. The Edenhope hospital is unable to provide vital services – funded, but not delivered. Small businesses are shutting down. A successful restaurateur this week crossed Edenhope off her list of prospective towns to invest in.

“Qualified experts are itching to respond to job advertisements that repeatedly appear in the local newspaper … All of these lost opportunities are directly attributable to the lack of childcare services.”

At a June 16 council meeting elected representatives confirmed that during the confidential discussion on June 9 they allocated $20,000 towards an investigation and report into the issue.

Mr Meyer defended the decision to go into confidence because of discussions around the sale of the senior citizens building.

Cr Trevor Domaschenz said while he would have “more faith” if the study was independent and better funded, council could always add more money when the initial report was tabled next month.

He also echoed the sentiments of the letter about the impact of a lack of childcare for the town.

“It has been a real handbrake in attracting people…,” Cr Domaschenz said. “The last two applicants for a physio wouldn’t come here solely because of the lack of childcare.”

Harrow mother Danielle Grindlay said it was a shame council had chosen a different path to what the community had requested – a study rather than a business plan.

However, she said it was a positive outcome that council had agreed to halt the sale of the senior citizens building, which is a potential site for a childcare centre.

This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News, 30 June 2021.