THE Loddon Shire Council has endorsed a recommendation to establish long day care services in the shire.
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The council considered the childcare feasibility study and business case at its August council meeting.
The report, written by community wellbeing director Wendy Gladman, identified that current funding and delivery models would restrict any attempt to introduce childcare options into rural communities.
Ms Gladman presented three options that could provide more sustainable models of care - upscale the current offering, introduce community care, or establish long day care services.
The report said upscaling the current offering could result in services stopping abruptly if an educator was unwell or left the area.
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Ms Gladman warned that could leave families stranded or reduce overall confidence in the system.
The report said the second option - community care - would be a new service model based on in-venue family day care and mobile childcare services.
Qualified educators, along with volunteers, would deliver childcare sessions in existing community facilities.
Ms Gladman said risks associated with that model included attracting and retaining enough qualified staff and volunteers, and considering whether proposed operating hours would meet community needs.
The report recommended council endorse the final option - establishing long day care services in the shire.
Ms Gladman said the model was premised on council appointing a service provider to deliver kindergarten and childcare services, introducing a regional rate subsidy, a five year service guarantee, and identifying the need for new infrastructure.
Ms Gladman noted there were some risks to the model, including attracting a service provider with enough qualified staff.
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But the report recommended council pursue option three as the preferred model of service.
Ms Gladman suggested the council sought funding for, and appointed, a project officer to lead advocacy and establishment efforts.
The report also submitted council should advocate to governments for the rural rate subsidy and to receive funding to upgrade early years infrastructure at Boort and Inglewood, which have been selected as the two pilot sites.
The council should also convene an advisory group to support advocacy efforts and provide assistance to the project officer, the report said.
The Loddon Shire Council received and noted the childcare feasibility study and business case at its council meeting this week.
The council also passed a motion to endorse the report's recommendation.
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