Mining giant BHP team up with Wanslea to provide high-quality ECEC in regional WA

Mining company BHP has paired up with early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Wanslea in an effort to meet demand for education and care in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. 

The long-term partnership aims to provide high-quality, affordable ECEC for families in the Pilbara, which is home to many of its Western Australia Iron Ore employees and their families.  The partnership will support existing family day care (FDC) services and make several of its houses available for the initiative, with the aim of encouraging local FDC educators to become FDC providers.

As well as a grants program, designed to support educators to equip their homes with appropriate resources, furniture and other FDC needs, the partnership will support educators and providers with ongoing training and professional development opportunities. 

“We’re really pleased to partner with Wanslea and build on our work to improve childcare in our communities – we hope this will make a big difference to families in regional towns like Newman and Port Hedland who are currently waiting up to two years for childcare placements,” said BHP Asset President Western Australia Iron Ore, Brandon Craig.

“By supporting the partnership we’re also aiming to break down the barriers that limited childcare (sic.) has on attracting and retaining workers, and achieving our goal of a gender-balanced workforce in the next few years.”

Speaking on behalf of Wanslea, CEO Jo Sadler said the provider is “so excited” to be partnering with BHP in the Pilbara. 

“We very much look forward to assisting families through our provision of quality FDC services,” she said. 

Wanslea will support the FDC educators and oversee the running and management of each service provider.

For more information about Wanslea, please see here.