Childcare services in Bourke are in crisis. After forty years without Capital Works Funding from either State or Federal Governments the roof of the Oxley Street Childcare building collapsed in September 2022 making the building unusable.

The only course of action was to relocate and combine all services into the Bourke and District Children’s Services building on Gorrell Ave.

With 2021 census data for Bourke showing that 60% of children residing in town are vulnerable and data showing that children five years and under are the fastest growing population group in the district the need for quality services will only escalate.

Consultant General Manager for Bourke and District Children’s Services, Prue Ritchie said agencies within Bourke are working collaboratively to provide early intervention for this very vulnerable group of children.

“The future of Bourke needs these children. Early childhood education and care creates a lifelong foundation for a child to thrive at school and as an adult. We desperately need more places to enable all our children to benefit from our services. We currently have a waiting list for 26 children across all services,” Ms Ritchie said.

On Friday 18 November 2022 Bourke hosted a flying visit by Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole where he announced a $4.8 million grant from the Start Strong Capital Works Crisis Fund.

Deputy Premier Toole said “We know more is needed which is why I call on the Federal Labour to do the same so that we can deliver this game changing project, because the NSW Nationals want every child in NSW to have access to a quality preschool education, no matter where they live.”

“The former preschool is no longer operational due to damage and we’ve listened to the community, today putting $4.8 million on the table to help build a new one.” Mr Toole said.

Paul Toole and Prue Ritchie 

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government understands the important role early childhood services play in communities, and the Start Strong Capital Works crisis fund exists to respond flexibly as crisis situations arise across NSW.

“The fund ensures early childhood places are maintained and children have continued access to a preschool education in NSW,” Mrs Mitchell said.

“This funding is a major step forward in delivering a new early learning facility in Bourke, and we will work with the service to ensure a new facility can be built.”

Prue Ritchie General Manager for Bourke and District Children’s Services said they are extremely grateful for the quick action and grant from the NSW Government.

“As a community we have been co-locating services since 2010 as facilities reach their end of life. These temporary measures have been in use now for thirteen years,” Ms Ritchie said.

“We have been working on our master plan since 2012 and each year the cost rises dramatically. The Bourke Council gave us the existing building which now houses the Bourke Pre School, Childcare and Mobile Services.”

“We need a facility that can cater for 100 placements but there is no way we can reach this number with the current funding. Bourke and District Children’s Services have dug deep and contributed $250,000 towards the building.”

“Our excellent and very valued volunteer Management Committee are now looking at what can be done with the $4.8 million. It sounds a lot and we are extremely grateful for this grant, however, the hidden factor is the cost of building in Bourke. It has always been high, but has sky rocketed since Covid.”

“We are looking at demountable buildings as a short term solution to the crisis. Our main objective is to create as much space as possible for new and existing children. Staff are working in what was a classroom, if we can get a couple of demountable buildings staff can move into them. Many administrative staff have been encouraged to work from home as there is just not enough room for everyone.”

‘At the moment we have most of our activities outside but soon we will have to move inside. If we can get the demountables before this it would be a huge step forward.”

“Of course, if the Federal Labor government could inject some funding into the District Children’s Services that will go a long way to ensuring Bourke’s future.”

Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly has responded to the crisis in a statement saying “My department is working directly with Bourke and District Children's Services to help them identify eligible funding streams and assisting with application processes”.

Paul Toole Prue Ritchie and Nationals candidate for Barwon Annette Turner studying plans for the new Childhood Services building

The building collapse resulting in an increased waiting list for children is not the only crisis facing the Bourke and District Children’s Services.

Ms Ritchie said “During Covid we were down to 11 employees. Currently we should have 40 employees, however we have 23 full time employment vacancies.”

“We are looking at migrant workers to fill some positions but housing in and around Bourke is a huge problem. Workers are very reluctant to come to a town where there is limited housing and very limited childcare spaces,” Ms Ritchie said.

“We remain very positive for the future of Bourke. Our management committee has been working on a plan to become a regional training hub for Children’s Services. If we are successful with this plan it will bring the staff that is required to Bourke. All we need now is a building for them to work in.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole also announced that families across the Far West will be amongst the first in the state to benefit from the NSW Government’s landmark reform to introduce a universal pre-Kindergarten year of education for every child in NSW.

Mr Toole said “Bourke, Cobar and Coonamble will be amongst seven locations across the state to begin rolling out the first stage of the universal pre-Kindergarten policy in early 2023.”

“This investment will be a game changer for our youngest learners who will benefit from a full year of quality preschool education at no cost to parents.”

BDCS Consultant General Manager Prue Ritchie said “We again welcome this announcement, it is great news for the children of Bourke.”

“This very positive news will add extra strain on our services if we cannot provide the physical space for the children. There is a planning process followed by the children attending pre-school commencing in July. Parents will be attempting to take advantage of this free service and we don’t as yet have the room.” Ms Ritchie said.