Planning to expand Bega Valley Council’s childcare offerings has progressed to an online survey. Photo: Bega Valley Shire Council/Facebook.
A South Coast council is looking to expand its early childhood education offerings amid a national shortage.
Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) is asking families, educators and other residents to give feedback on their experiences accessing early education and care services in the shire.
It’s part of council’s planning process as it considers expanding its services following growing demand in the region.
Community, Environment and Planning director Emily Harrison said council was aware there was a shortage of early childhood education in the Shire.
“We have developed a survey for community feedback about what any future centres could look like and how they can best serve the needs of the shire,” she said.
“Community feedback will help us ensure the design of future centres reflects local priorities and values and better understand barriers to accessing early childhood education such as affordability, location and operating hours.”
Council currently provides early education and care services in Bega and Eden, as well as a mobile preschool that operates in Candelo and Bemboka.
“The final decision on site locations and concept designs [of any expansions] will be informed by the feasibility study, the Workforce Strategy and the insights we receive from this survey,” Ms Harrison said.
The survey is also part of BVSC’s efforts to develop a Children’s Services Workforce Strategy to support service delivery in the sector.
Council’s website states that a 2022 review found there was a lack of childcare services in the Shire.
That review was followed by another two years later as councillors considered ditching the services.
In February 2024, councillors voted to continue offering early childhood education.
According to council documents from the time, the council’s services were licensed to provide 550 places per week, which were mostly funded by the state and federal governments’ commitments.
“BVSC has been the licensee (now known as Approved Provider) for all three services since their establishment, with each service originally overseen by a community management committee,” according to the documents.
“To ensure effective management of the services and in response to increased regulatory requirements, council assumed direct oversight of day-to-day operations of Eden Early Learning Centre and Bandara in 2007 and Eden Preschool and Sapphire Mobile Preschool in 2009.”
A 2024 analysis by Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute found that the ACT had the best access to childcare and Tasmania the lowest.
In NSW, the researchers found there were 0.431 places per child in 2024.
According to the council’s website, the feasibility study and workforce strategy are expected to be finished by November.
Their development is also listed with a $250,000 price tag.
The survey will close at 11:45 pm on 28 September and is available on council’s website.
