❓ Addresses childcare professional development in the South West region, detailing current initiatives and funding considerations for a dedicated support position.
AnsweredQoN 3343Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the provision of childcare services in the South West region, and I ask: (a) as the South West Regional Children’s Services Plan identifies assistance to access professional development opportunities to be an urgent need of the Childcare Sector in the region, what actions are being take to meet this need; and (b) Will the Government fund the recommended 0.5 FTE position recommended by the Plan for 2016-18 to support the professional development needs of the sector in the South West?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 September 2015
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Community Services
Response time
35 days
(a) Increasing access to professional development opportunities in the childcare sector is one of the priorities identified by the South West Regional Children's Services Plan. Implementation of the Children's Services Plan will address a range of issues faced by childcare services in that region.
The actions currently being undertaken to address professional development needs include:
1. Forums held in June in two locations in the South West to get feedback regarding professional development needs were very well attended and the information obtained will be used to develop strategies and initiatives to improve access to professional development opportunities in the region.
2. The South West Development Commission has provisionally allocated a grant of $10 000 to create a professional community for educators across the region. Quarterly professional "buzz" sessions are planned to facilitate skill-building and provide access to professional resources and support.
3. A facebook page called "the pod" was also launched in June this year and currently has over 100 followers. The page provides a variety of easily accessible and useful information and posts including up to date information on professional development opportunities in the South West and beyond.
4. Two sites in Margaret River and Bunbury are now piloting an "on-the-job" professional development model.
5. External consultants have been engaged to produce a business plan to identify sources of funding and to outline strategies which will enable a sustainable professional support and resource model to operate in the South West. This has been funded via a strategic grant provided through the Department's Regional Community Child Care Development Fund program.
(b) The Regional Community Child Care Development Fund (RCCCDF)has been funded through Royalties for Regions over four years to support the long-term sustainability of regional community managed education and care services
The South West Regional Children's Services Plan was developed by Investing In Our Youth, which has received $340 000 from the RCCDF to carry out this project, of which $170 000 is intended for implementation.
The Royalties for Regions funding for the RCCCDF program finishes on 31 December 2015. A business case is being drafted to secure future funding from Royalties for Regions to continue to provide support for regional childcare services.
The actions currently being undertaken to address professional development needs include:
1. Forums held in June in two locations in the South West to get feedback regarding professional development needs were very well attended and the information obtained will be used to develop strategies and initiatives to improve access to professional development opportunities in the region.
2. The South West Development Commission has provisionally allocated a grant of $10 000 to create a professional community for educators across the region. Quarterly professional "buzz" sessions are planned to facilitate skill-building and provide access to professional resources and support.
3. A facebook page called "the pod" was also launched in June this year and currently has over 100 followers. The page provides a variety of easily accessible and useful information and posts including up to date information on professional development opportunities in the South West and beyond.
4. Two sites in Margaret River and Bunbury are now piloting an "on-the-job" professional development model.
5. External consultants have been engaged to produce a business plan to identify sources of funding and to outline strategies which will enable a sustainable professional support and resource model to operate in the South West. This has been funded via a strategic grant provided through the Department's Regional Community Child Care Development Fund program.
(b) The Regional Community Child Care Development Fund (RCCCDF)has been funded through Royalties for Regions over four years to support the long-term sustainability of regional community managed education and care services
The South West Regional Children's Services Plan was developed by Investing In Our Youth, which has received $340 000 from the RCCDF to carry out this project, of which $170 000 is intended for implementation.
The Royalties for Regions funding for the RCCCDF program finishes on 31 December 2015. A business case is being drafted to secure future funding from Royalties for Regions to continue to provide support for regional childcare services.
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