Meekatharra goes without childcare service for 20 years, report commissioned by council to get ball rolling

Meekatharra’s council has commissioned a report into the absence of childcare services in the region, after the number of children in the shire increased by 39 per cent. The sole childcare service in Meekatharra closed more than 20 years ago, stating there were decreasing clients due to FIFO work becoming popular, and young families were opting to move to the city. The void of housing and staffing also greatly contributed to the services being halted, leaving parents without care for their children. In 2016, there were 76 children in the 0-4 age bracket, but in the 2021 census, it found 115 children in this age bracket. The lack of childcare has come up in community consultations previously due to the pressure it has put on local families, as well as being topical for employers and agencies who are losing staff because of the deficit. After conversations on the issue became so frequent, the council agreed to commission a report into childcare in Meekatharra. The report will decide if bringing a childcare facility is a viable option, looking at demographics, education outcomes, work force and other secondary impacts. If the report finds the addition of a childcare facility to be necessary, the council will begin the process of looking at site suitability, potential funding sources and childcare models. Shire of Meekatharra president Harvey Nichols said there were new mothers in town who suggested the service and the report would establish whether to take the calls to the next level. “Some people pointed out there may have been a need for day care in Meekatharra so we’re looking into it,” he said. Cr Nichols said the service wasn’t necessary in the past as young families tended to live in the town for short periods of time before venturing off, however, he’d noticed more families sticking around. “We’ve got three or four buildings that are suitable and ready to go, but it will come down to who puts the staff member on and all the rest of it, if we can get one out here,” he said. The council engaged Community Early Learning Australia to conduct the assessment, and has been finalised in order for its presentation to council to be on August 21.