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Queensland’s Isaac Regional Council backs early learning over 4 year period
Freya Lucas
Feb 13, 2025
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Early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers from across Queensland’s Isaac region will benefit from Council’s recent decision to fund expanded support and resources.
The Council is reinforcing its commitment to supporting working families and strengthening the region’s ECEC workforce with a proposed $400,000 investment in ECEC services over the next four years.Reliable ECEC options, Isaac Regional Council Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said, are fundamental services which underpin the region’s workforce and liveability.
"When childcare centres struggle, families struggle. Without access to reliable early learning services, parents find it harder to return to work, impacting local businesses and our broader community," Mayor Vea Vea said.
"We are stepping up to ensure that communities across the Isaac region have access to sustainable childcare services. This investment builds on the incredible work already being done in Moranbah and Dysart and will help prevent market failures that threaten liveability in our region."
Established in 2022, the Childcare Leadership Alliance (CLA) is a not-for-profit organisation addressing critical childcare shortages in regional Queensland. Its initiatives have already led to the recruitment of 32 international educators and added more than 250 additional care days for local children.
Mayor Vea Vea said that while childcare is primarily a state and federal responsibility, Council recognises the need for local leadership in securing essential services.
"Childcare is not just about looking after kids – it’s about giving families the opportunity to build a future in our communities, supporting businesses that rely on a stable workforce, and ensuring that our region remains a great place to live and work," she said.
Council’s investment will enable CLA to continue its work in attracting and retaining qualified educators, supporting professional development, and creating sustainable childcare models across all Isaac communities.
Mayor Vea Vea encouraged regional employers to also consider investing in childcare solutions that support workforce retention.
"A thriving childcare sector benefits everyone. We know that strong partnerships between government, industry, and the community are the key to keeping essential services like early education viable in regional areas," she said.
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