Meg Cooper is vice-chair of the PCCC Governing Council and is a mum and secondary school teacher.

The Parndana Community Children’s Centre Inc. received $1.8 million from the federal government’s Local Economic Recovery program to build the childcare centre next to the Parndana school campus.

The two-room centre, which will cater to babies up to four year olds, was given planning consent in April.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly said that the news is a positive step forward for parents and families across the island.

“At the present, all childcare facilities and services on the Island are at full capacity,” Pengilly said.

“Childcare is a much-needed service on Kangaroo Island. Post the 2019/20 bushfires, the provision of childcare was identified as one of the key issues critical to the economic recovery of the Island.

“On behalf of the Council, I would like to congratulate the Parndana Community Children’s Centre Governing Council for their hard work and commitment to get this project up and running.”

The design of the Parndana Community Children’s Centre that includes the Outside School Hours Care component. Image: PCCC committee

Parndana Community Children’s Centre Governing Council Chair Stephanie Wurst was thrilled the project had received planning consent.

Wurst said that there has been a great need for childcare in the central and western districts of Kangaroo Island, forming the committee in 2016 to try and address the problem.

“The project has been a big commitment from all Governing Council members. It’s very rewarding to see the progress to where it is now,” Wurst said.Bottom of Form

“It is now full steam ahead to get the childcare facility built and get the service up and running for the community.”

The committee was unsuccessful in gaining funding through the Black Summer grants program to facilitate after-school care and an extra room for visiting child-related health practitioners.

Wurst said that the Governing Council had calculated childcare and after-school care services in the region would result in approximately 25-30 full-time positions.

“We are committed to continuing to find a solution to seek further funding for the after-school care component of the project to provide the community with the addition of this vital service,” Wurst said.

By Alexandrina Seager

This Regional Showcase article first appeared in InDaily.

Click here for more information.