GOODSTART Early Learning in Australind are on their way to becoming a more sustainable childcare centre thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Royalties for Regions fund.
The centre is among 19 childcare centres in regional WA that will share in more than $238,000.
Centre room leader Casey Petherick said the grant would provide them with portable water tanks, worm farms and compost bins.
“Our focus is on being a sustainable childcare centre and teaching the children about the environment from a very young age to carry with them for the rest of their life,” Ms Petherick said.
“We are hoping to get a veggie patch up and running and we already recycle our water on the plants.
“We also incorporate our sustainability and educational learning tools into the community by having open days.”
They currently have compost bins at the centre that have been part of sustainable learning practices she said.
Nationals member for the South West Region Colin Holt said the funding was being delivered as part of the $9.3 million Regional Comm-unity Child Care Development Fund.
“Families in regional WA face unique challenges when it comes to access to quality child care,” he said.
“Isolation and distance, lack of funds, and a strong reliance on volunteers are all significant challenges to address when providing a sustainable child care service in the regions.”
Regional development acting minister Mia Davies announced the funding this week.
“Royalties for Regions will continue to invest in a range of key community services projects to support a better quality of life in regional WA enabling regions to grow and contribute to strong economies,” Ms Davies said.
