Mingenew childcare facility expansion supported by Lotterywest grant, new facility expected to open in 2025

Lotterywest will help progress the long-awaited expansion of childcare services in Mingenew, after providing a $500,000 grant in June to improve children’s services and early learning in the town. The Lotterywest grant will support the expansion of childcare services in Mingenew, going towards upgrades to support the provision of children’s services and improve early development in the Mid West town. The construction will allow the Mingenew Education and Care facility to increase its capacity to 24 places, provide services to a wider age group and offer a full five-day-a-week care service, as well as before- and after-school care. The facility currently operates four days a week and has a maximum capacity of 11 children. The demand for childcare in Mingenew was identified by the community, noting it had “drastically exceeded” supply since 2018. Mingenew Shire president Gary Cosgrove said it was fantastic news and thanked the local Community Resource Centre, council and Lotterywest for allowing the project to progress. “This project has been a long time coming and the result of endless efforts from the community, the CRC and council,” he said. “We also need to recognise the CRC, parents, and community for their fundraising efforts in delivering $500,000 towards the project. This project will be an important enabler for attracting key workers and families to town, with the projected Arrowsmith Energy Hub development, and also providing existing families with a full five-day service.” Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr said increasing childcare capacity would provide long-term benefits for the community socially and economically. “It will allow community members to help service the workforce needs of the region, and additionally improve education and social outcomes for young children in Mingenew,” she said. Construction is expected to start in February 2024, with the new facility set to be open in February 2025.