MEETING THE CHALLENGE SUPPORTING REGIONAL ECONOMIES TO THRIVE
Acknowledgement of Country
I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which each of us are today, and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here today.
130+ years of experience
Support early childhood sector across the country
Who are “Astute Early Years Specialists”?
Bespoke and tailored strategies
Early childhood practice and Pedagogy
Operations
Financial management
Digital marketing
Business improvement
HR Recruitment
Stakeholder Engagement
Astute’s history in the Isaac Region
• Working with two of the three providers in Moranbah region since 2017
• Over 8 years established and built strong relationships with early childhood and school age care staff, Council representatives and local business operators
Where the CLA came from
● Sustainable ECEC services a long-standing issue for Dysart and Moranbah
● Improved future service delivery was identified as a priority issue by the Smart Transformation Advisory Councils (STAC)
● STAC commissioned a review into the current situation to fully understand the issues
● STAC used the review to establish a Steering Committee - local ECEC, Council, BMA, school representatives
● One of the key recommendations was the establishment of a Childcare Leadership Alliance with a whole of community focus
The situation
Difficult to attract & retain early childhood educators & teachers
Children miss out on critical high-quality early learning
Local businesses and industry struggle for staff and revenue
Families unable to fully participate in the workforce (women more likely to be impacted)
Families have less money to spend at local businesses
Children more likely to be left behind their city peers
● Astute appointed
● STAC Steering Committee to determine best structure
● Decision > Establish an independent not for profit Incorporated Association
Establishing the CLA
Established strong foundations
Voted in Board from Steering Committee
Established the Incorporated Association
Developed Association
Rules, Terms of Reference and Policies
Developed Strategic Plan
The objectives and focus of the CLA
OBJECTIVES FOCUS
The overall goal is to enable, through the formation of the Alliance, the provision of sustainable strategic support to the childcare sector in the Isaac Region, with an initial focus on the pilot towns of Moranbah and Dysart.
Attraction, Recruitment & Retention of childcare staff (ECEC and OSHC) Professional development for childcare staff Strong community support and collaboration
The “A” state
32% vacant
Across the 8 centres in Moranbah & Dysart 32% of places were vacant due to staff shortages.
Across the 8 centres in Moranbah & Dysart there were approx 46 vacant educator positions
across both Moranbah and Dysart 300
Children on waitlists
Co-collaboration
Visited Workshops
Surveys
1-1 sessions
Range of possible strategies
Sought feedback
Shaped year 1 work plan
Finding the solution
Strategies trialled in Moranbah & Dysart
Seeking qualified educators from overseas
Sourcing private rentals to provide accommodation
Providing live & virtual professional development opportunities
Building community engagement
Developing toolkits & training Advocacy and partnerships
The Winning Solutions! International
recruitment and housing support plus a trial of other initiatives
Since 2023 - 27 educators have arrived in Moranbah!
And more are ready and excited to come!
27 educators = 108 - 297 more care days for children
Waitlists have reduced Occupancy has increased
Increase in viability of providers = provide better services and invest in staff and physical environments
Our latest campaign, “These are our children”, sums it up perfectly!
CLA: Beyond the pilot
Reinvestment and commitment from BMA
Ongoing discussions with other organisations
Engagement with Council
Finalising strategy for FY 24-25
Moving to a Co Ltd by Guarantee
What would the Next Steps for Central Highlands look like?
Step 1 - Deep dive into current state
Secure the community’s commitment and financial support to conduct a deep dive into the current state.
It is vital to get an accurate picture of what is impacting the provision of stable ECEC and OSHC in the community. The outcomes will drive the strategies implemented.
Step 2 - Formally approach the CLA
Step 3 - Provision of report with recommendations
Approach the CLA to request that they conduct the review of the current state.
The CLA will conduct a review into the current state (A state) and provide a report with recommendations on how to shift to the desired state (B state)
Expansion of CLA into the Central Highlands
• Dependant on a number of factors
• Community commitment, financial investment and outcome of full assessment of current state in Central Highlands
THANK YOU
