Early Childhood Hub offers opportunities for childcare centre relocation and management change

Katanning Community Childcare Centre is looking to transition its management from volunteers to Regional Early Education and Development in time for the opening of the new early childhood hub. The Shire of Katanning has outlined its plan to have the childcare centre moved to the hub by 2023 on the adjacent block on the corner of Bokarup and Daping streets. The KCCC hopes to have the support of an educational management body and to help manage the new childcare centre with the support of the community. “The ECH will be a wonderful addition to the Katanning community, and its benefits will impact the lives of families in Katanning and beyond,” KCCC president Claire Lopes said. “But for KCCC to transition to the hub, we need a strong and motivated committee of people willing to make it happen. “(We) rely on volunteers to fill the parent-run committee and we are continually struggling to fill these crucial executive positions.” Ms Lopes said Regional Early Education and Development was one of the management options the committee was looking at. REED is a Wheatbelt-based, not-for-profit organisation committed to making sure the best quality early childhood education and care is provided in regional areas. “Given the increasing complexities and legislative requirements of operating a childcare centre and the vast industry knowledge required to do so successfully, the KCCC committee is looking into future management options to ensure the best quality, sustainable child care,” Ms Lopes said. “We felt that without some key support services, managing the transition into the new building was well above us. “Major areas of concern would be ensuring all aspects of the building, processes, occupational safety and health, business planning etc meet childcare regulations and legislation. Merging with REED would offer our centre financial stability and would alleviate the need for a volunteer parent committee to undertake this increasingly complex role, allowing them to instead focus on less daunting tasks such as fundraising.” Plans for an early childhood hub were revived last year after councillors voted to push ahead with a revised design. The public are invited to a meeting of the KCCC and REED at 5.30pm on June 28 at the childcare centre on Conroy Street.