Mid North SA struggles with ECEC availability shortages impacting regional workforce

Families in the Mid North of South Australia are struggling to access early childhood education and care (ECEC) with a recent Mitchell Institute report showing that there are up to eight children vying for every available vacancy, limiting the opportunity for workers in the region.

Independent Stuart MP Geoff Brock said he was interested in learning more from parents in the region and was committed to looking at solutions. 

Families in Crystal Brook have made a proposal to Council seeking to incorporate an ECEC service into the Crystal Brook Primary School, which would have a side benefit of alleviating the pressure on ECEC places in nearby Port Pirie. 

A similar approach is being considered at a Port Pirie school where under utilised facilities may be used for ECEC, Mr Brock said, noting that the availability of ECEC was closely tied to the employment opportunities in the region. 

He pledged to take a big picture approach, also looking at affordability and availability of housing in the region. 

“It’s a big picture about the opportunity for having a master plan for the Upper Spencer Gulf and the Mid North, which I don’t think anyone has got at this stage,” he told local paper Transcontinental.