Childcare in the Wimmera Southern Mallee 2024
2024 WSM Childcare Data
Understanding the Story
An accessible, quality ECEC system is a critical element in supporting children to thrive. In 2022, By Five sought understand the local landscape in relation to childcare; the funding and operating environment to enable us to identify opportunities to ensure our children can access what they need, when and where they need it.
In 2024, we revisited this data, and also explored and consolidated new avenues of information and relevant local barriers and enablers to equitable access to quality childcare, providing a better understanding of the evolving story across the Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM).
What we found in 2024:
More than 415 children are on known waitlists.
11 of 19 towns in the WSM with populations over 300 don’t have a childcare service.
Workforce, Viability, Infrastructure and adequate funding are barriers for entry into the market in rural areas.
Only Not-for-profit providers operate in low population areas across the WSM.
