WA Child Care Advisory Committee
The WA State Government are looking very seriously at improving child care in this State and contributing to the national agenda.
When Hon Sheila McHale opened the National Child Care Conference in WA in October 2004, she announced the context, mandate and membership of the new WA Child Care Advisory Committee and said:
“FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS STATE HAS A COMPREHENSIVE CHILDREN’S STRATEGY. THE CHILDREN FIRST STRATEGY OUTLINES THE COMMUNITY’S SHARED VISION FOR OUR CHILDREN.
IT PROVIDES THE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT REQUIRED TO ENABLE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL OUR CHILDREN.
…
BEFORE I CLOSE I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHILD CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THIS INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE WILL PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE, NOT ONLY IN PROVIDING ME WITH ADVICE AND INFLUENCING POLICY DEVELOPMENT RELATED CHILD CARE IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, BUT WILL BE A VOICE THROUGH WHICH THE VIEWS OF CHILDREN, PARENTS AND CHILD CARE WORKERS CAN BE HEARD.
THE RESPONSE TO THE CALLS FOR NOMINATION WAS IMPRESSIVE AND THE COMMITTEE INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF SKILLS, EXPERIENCES AND INTERESTS.
I WAS KEEN TO INCLUDE MEMBERS WHO COULD BRING FRESH IDEAS TO THE TABLE AND CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO WHILE AT THE SAME TIME INCLUDE OTHERS WHO HOLD A VALUABLE COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHILD CARE SECTOR IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
IT THEREFORE GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE: • MS LIBBY DAVY • MRS PAMELA ELLIS-KANE • MS ODETTE HALEY • MRS GAYLE HERON • MS TERESA HUTCHINS • MS CHRISTINE I’ANSON • MRS KATHLEEEN PINKERTON • MR GRAEME WINTERS • MS JEAN RICE AND DR JANN MARSHALL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH • MS CORA-ANN WILSON AND MS SUE OZICH FROM THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND • MR TIM MUIRHEAD AS CHAIR.
THE COMMITTEE IS TO COMMENCE ITS WORK WITH A TWO DAY STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP EARLY IN NOVEMBER. THEY WILL BE INCLUSIVE AND CONSULTATIVE IN THEIR APPROACH AND THEIR FOCUS WILL BE ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE IN THIS STATE. PLEASE WELCOME AND WORK WITH THEM TO ACHIEVE THIS FOR OUR CHILDREN. ON THAT POSITIVE NOTE, I DECLARE THIS CONFERENCE OPEN AND WISH YOU WELL. “
(emphasis added)
A full copy of Minister McHale’s speech is available here.
The relevant section of the Children First policy is the Early Years Strategy. It makes plain that the path has being laid for an agenda of positive reform and progress.
I am a member of the Committee. Throughout my recent submissions to Fremantle Council, the media and others, I make clear that my comments are as a community member and NOT as a member of the CCAC.
And I do look forward to bringing in fresh ideas to the table and challenging the status quo.
To find out what the WA Child Care Advisory Committee are working on or to make a submission (and I do hope we soon start to hear directly from parents) contact:
Rhonda King
rhondak@dcd.wa.gov.au
Project Officer, Child Care Advisory Committee
Department for Community Development
9222 2561 (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
It is intended that the Committee will have their own website soon.
And thumbs up to Independent Chairperson Tim Muirhead for inviting a ‘progressive reformer’ like me to be on this Committee in the first place.
Hearing about Tim and his work was the reason I took the plunge and nominated. He’s a very cool guy doing great work that has the potential to gently change the way communities develop - in positive and connected ways.
Tim’s appointment gives me faith in the State Government’s ethos around community development and child care in particular.
My application or credentials (current as at 11 August 2004), if you want to call them that, can be viewed online. They are out of date, but then.. that’s the learning journey.
I’m looking forward to being able to make a contribution to the advancement of high quality child care for ALL from “within the system” - as well as from within the community.