Blue Mountains City Council invites community to help improve ECEC for children

Freya Lucas

Aug 30, 2021

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New South Wales’ Blue Mountains City Council has invited the local community to play their part in improving early childhood education and care in the community by sharing their experiences of engaging in accessing or participating in education and care for children from birth to 12 years of age.

Through completing a short survey, parents and carers can assist Council in understanding the community’s needs and the role Council can play in improving childcare options.

“We understand that quality childcare options are crucial to support the parents and carers in our community, whether they are working, studying or in need of a break,” Mayor Mark Greenhill said.

The Blue Mountains has a range of ECEC options for parents and carers, including out of school care, vacation care, early childhood care, occasional care, and family day care options.

“I encourage community members to take part in this survey to help us identify any gaps and trends in demand, so we can identify what needs to be done to improve childcare options locally,” Mayor Greenhill added.

“The more parents and carers we can involve from across the Blue Mountains, the more comprehensive our understanding will be.”

The survey asks families and carers some easy-to-answer questions about their current childcare arrangements and if they are meeting their needs. It also asks whether COVID-19 has had an impact on childcare options.

This research will help the Council to identify how it can play a part in making improvements. Feedback will be shared with the existing services to see how the Council can best work together to support parents and carers.

All responses will remain confidential. Everyone who takes part in the survey will also be offered the opportunity to enter a draw for family passes to Blue Mountains Leisure and Aquatic Centres, for when they are reopened.

To participate in the survey, which closes 16 September, please see here. For further information about the Council’s ECEC programs please contact Patricia Darvall at pdarvall@bmcc.nsw.gov.au

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