Expansion will more than double the number of ECEC places available in Shire of Moora

Families needing to access early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the Perth shire of Moora will soon have more opportunities following the announcement of an expansion of the service’s only long day care setting.

Formally offering spaces for just 20 children, the expansion is expected to be completed in early 2025, at which time 55 places will be available for local families. 

The announcement has been welcomed by families in the fast-developing Wheatbelt town which is located 180 kilometres north-east of Perth.

Moora has more than 2,400 residents, and one early learning setting, while the neighbouring local government area of Dandaragan has no care options at all. 

Brittany Brown, a Dandaragan resident, was able to find a placement in Moora for her daughter after eight months of waiting, however she was then left to commute more than 50km from her workplace to access care. 

The stress and pressure of wondering when and if she could access care almost led her to forfeit her ‘dream role’ as a mining events coordinator.

“I didn’t want to give up the opportunity to work in my dream job, but I had to really consider that if I couldn’t get my daughter into care,” she shared with The ABC.

“I have to travel 1 hour and 15 minutes twice a day for childcare, purely so I can do a day’s work, and this isn’t unique to me.”

Shire of Moora president Tracy Lefroy said the level of interest in placements at the centre had exceeded expectations, with the local government expecting to invest in more ECEC infrastructure within the next five years to keep up with demand. 

Access the original coverage of this story here.