CLA welcomes support from Isaac Regional Council 

The Childcare Leadership Alliance (CLA) has welcomed recent support from the Isaac Regional Council which it believes will strengthen early learning services across the region. 

The funding will contribute to CLA’s initiatives to support early learning services in the region, implementing sustainable childcare solutions for the community.

CLA Project Manager Mel Comerford said the support is “a step forward in ensuring that every town in the Isaac region has access to quality early learning services.”

“We commend Isaac Regional Council for recognising the critical role childcare plays in supporting local families and businesses. Reliable early learning services are essential for workforce participation and community growth, and this investment will help address immediate challenges,” Ms Comerford said.

“However, while this is a fantastic step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done. A long-term commitment from all levels of government, industry, and community stakeholders is needed to ensure that every town in the Isaac region receives the best possible support. Sustainable funding, workforce development, and infrastructure investment will be crucial in making this vision a reality.”

Since its establishment, the CLA has already made significant strides in addressing regional childcare challenges, achieving:

• Recruitment, relocation, and housing of 32 qualified and experienced educators, reducing waitlists and increasing occupancy and care availability for families.
• High-quality, engaging professional development for 85 educators through online and in-person training.
• Support for five early learning providers across eight early learning services.
• Four professional development events, along with the launch of a year-long leadership and networking program, Care to Lead.
• Development and launch of an online “Get Ready for Work” program to support international educators and new entrants to the sector.

“We encourage sector and industry partners and all levels of government to join us in making childcare a priority. A thriving early learning sector benefits everyone—m parents and children to businesses and the broader community,” Mel Comerford said.

Read more about the Isaac Regional Council commitment here. For more information about CLA please see here.