$250,000 in grant funding announced for early childhood worker retention in WA 

Ten regional local governments in Western Australia will receive $250,000 in grant funding as part of a WA Government program to attract and retain early childhood educators in regional areas of the state.

These grants are the fourth and final round of the Attraction and Retention Packages for Regional Childcare Workers Program, which has provided over $1 million in grants to regional local governments to fund initiatives that help bring in and keep on early childhood educators.

The funds are used for initiatives including training, relocation costs, and travel allowances, as well as setting up traineeships and partnerships with local TAFEs to attract more early childhood workers.   

Through a partnership with the Commonwealth Government, the Shire of Christmas Island has also received $25,000 in Commonwealth funding through the program.

“For early childhood education and care services, attracting a high-quality workforce can be challenging, particularly in regional areas,” WA Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton said.

“It has been fantastic to hear about the initiatives that have been delivered across the State as a result of this program.”

“I want to congratulate the successful local governments and commend the incredible work that early childhood educators in Western Australia do every day in supporting children to thrive.”

The program is delivered by the Department of Communities with the support of the Western Australian Local Government Association and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

A list of the 10 most recent recipients appears below. For more information about the program see here. 

• Shire of Boyup Brook: Staff Sustainability: now and into the future: $25,000
• Shire of Perenjori: Regional Early Education and Development Inc – Perenjori Project: $16,985.07
• City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder: City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Early Childhood Education and Care Educator Awards Program: $25,000
• Shire of Collie: Collie Childcare Workforce Development Program: $25,000
• Shire of Esperance: Esperance-Ravensthorpe Professional Development Series: $49,799.93
• Shire of Gnowangerup: Supporting Early Childhood Educators – Study and Retention Bonuses: $25,000
• Shire of Kent: Central Great Southern Conference 2025: $12,000
• Shire of Kulin: Kulin Childcare Centre: $21,215
• Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley: Childcare Worker Housing Support Program: $25,000
• Town of Port Hedland: Annual Community Childcare Grants Program: $25,000
• Shire of Christmas Island *Commonwealth Government funded*: Staff Development and Incentives Package for Christmas Island Day Care Staff: $25,000