BlacktowN
ISSUE 34 | January 2024
New precinct at Westpoint
TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS
www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au
Racing returns to Eastern Creek
Minchinbury Return and Earn open to locals
IT'S MOBILE CHILDCARE
Blacktown hit most by staff shortages
A
S many as 1,500 childcare staff are needed daily to fill rosters at centres across Western Sydney with the Blacktown area worse off in the last two years. The widespread childcare workers shortage across Blacktown has been revealed by a local industry working group urgently seeking solutions alongside government and educational institutions to fill the void. Local industry advocate, Donna Smith has helped set up Blacktown Roving Childcare which is a form of mobile childcare centre called Community Access Mobile Minders. “We provide adjunct care which means the parents or carers must always remain on the premises and retain the duty of care of the child,” Ms Smith said. More: page 13.
Western Sydney working group coordinator Donna Smith with Harper at Blacktown Roving Childcare.
AUSTRALIA DAY CONCERT AND FIREWORKS Friday 26 January
The Frocks
4.00 pm - 9.30 pm
The Rooty Hill, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ausday
V-Tribe
Baby Animals
Queen Forever Show