MADCAPS management committee presented its opinions to the Senate Committee on Education and Employment’s inquiry into the delivery of quality and affordable early childhood education and care services this week.
Central Wheatbelt MP Mia Davies is encouraging others in the Wheatbelt to do the same.
‘Three years ago, my colleague Tony Crook and I invited the Federal Minister for Childcare Services to the Wheatbelt to highlight some of the challenges facing our country providers,’ Ms Davies said.
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READ NOW‘The concerns fell on deaf ears, so it is encouraging to know these important service providers in the Central Wheatbelt, many which only remain operational through teams of volunteers, are now being heard in Canberra.
‘These hard-working committee members, who also juggle family, work and other community commitments, deserve to have the challenges their childcare and early learning organisations face acknowledged and addressed.’
Issues faced by MADCAPS include financial challenges, staffing and managerial shortages, and regulations changes that have negative consequences on the quality childcare services provided.
Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, who is on the Senate Education and Employment Committee inquiry into childcare, is encouraging other childcare service providers in the Wheatbelt to make submissions to the APC inquiry.
Senator McKenzie said it was imperative the experience of childcare providers and rural parents was heard through the inquiry process that the Federal Government will be relying on to develop policy going forward.
The APC is open for submissions for the duration of the inquiry, which is due to be complete in October, 2014.
More information can be found at tinyurl.com/kuedk65, including where to send submissions.