Central West Childcare Services officially opens with 43 educators and over 400 children

The Central West Childcare Services was officially opened last week by Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier the Hon. Sam Farraway MLC, alongside Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith, fellow councillors, staff and community members.

With 43 educators and over 400 children enrolled in the Central West Family Day Care scheme, the service had outgrown its previous facility, and as such the local council utilised a $1.3 million investment by the NSW Government to transform the unused community health building located within the old Parkes Hospital precinct into the new Central West Childcare Services base. 

The facility will house an integrated early childhood education centre, services for school aged children, and family services for children from birth to 12 years.

“This new centre will cater to a range of families and provide quality childcare services in the growing community for babies, toddlers and primary school aged children,” Mr Farraway said.

Quality care for babies through to school age students will be provided within family daycare, preschool and before and after school care and vacation care services through the site. 

“With major developments happening in Parkes, including the NSW Government’s first Special Activation Precinct, the expansion of CMOC-Northparkes Mines and the Clean Teq Sunrise project, the delivery of a quality educational facility, will ensure Parkes can meet the needs of those new families and businesses relocating to the region over the next decade,” Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton said.

“The additional space this facility provides will enable complementary services such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, auditory services, inclusion support meetings, parenting classes, child assessments, meetings, conferences, play groups, dental checks and the support of Early Childhood courses to use the rooms for consultation purposes,” she added.

“This facility provides a nurturing safe supportive environment, where your child’s needs, learning and discovery is guided by qualified and passionate staff,” Central West Childcare Services Coordinator Ann-Marie Winter said.

To learn more about the services provided, please visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.