“The NSW Nationals in the state government are pleased to support this much-needed childcare facility in Parkes. Once complete, the centre will provide quality care for babies, to school-age students within family daycare, preschool as well as vital before and after school care and vacation care for families with older children,” NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said.
The service will be housed in what was previously a community health building on Coleman Road, and will be known as Central West Child Care Services, which will become an integrated care facility.
“The design includes age appropriate playrooms, a childcare facility with change areas and staff room, a dedicated preschool area and learning areas where school aged students can take part in education programs, ensuring each child no matter their age can be in an environment that has what they need,” Mr Farraway added.
As well as early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, the centre will offer complementary services such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, parenting classes and early childhood courses.
Parkes Central West Childcare Services has been funded to the value of $1.3 million under the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Restart NSW program, specifically the Resources for Regions Fund. Parkes Shire Council is contributing a further $668,000.
The Resources for Regions Fund is part of the $1.6 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure for regional communities.
“This new childcare service in Parkes will not only provide jobs directly and indirectly, it’s also vital to support families living and working in the Parkes local community. Well done to Parkes Shire Council for progressing this project and we look forward to seeing this child care facility full of children in the near future,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said.
