New child care services for northern suburbs

Families in Djarindjin, Halls Creek, One Arm Point and Derby will soon have access to new child care services with the establishment of occasional care centres in each area.

North West Minister Ernie Bridge said the new services were being established under the joint Commonwealth-State Child Care Agreement, and would be administered by the Department for Community Services.

He said occasional care was an important facility, enabling parents to take short breaks while their children were looked after in a secure and caring group environment.

"It gives parents, including those not in the workforce, an opportunity to pursue other interests or just take a well deserved break, knowing their children are safe and well cared for," Mr Bridge said.

"This is important for parents, but also valuable for children who benefit from the social experience and stimulating play activities offered at each centre."

Starting dates would depend on how soon it was possible to arrange access to suitable premises, but all were expected to be up and running within the next few months.

He said the Djarindjin Occasional Care would cater for 14 children once a week for four hours.

The Ngaringga Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation Occasional Care at Halls Creek would operate three days a week providing nine places each day for four hours.

The Ardyoolan Occasional Care at One Arm Point would operate twice a week, with nine places each day for four hours.

The Ngunga Occasional Care at Derby would operate three days a week, providing 14 places each day for four hours.

Mr Bridge said the Bidyadanga occasional care service, which had been approved previously but not yet commenced, had also been granted additional funding to ensure it could operate four days a week, providing 14 places each day for four hours.

The new Kimberley services were among 13 new and two expanded occasional care facilities approved for Western Australia.

The Federal Government had provided $75,000 towards establishment costs.