MEDIA ALERT: COWPER FAMILIES’ FORUM ON LOCAL CHILDCARE CRISIS

Much of the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, in the electorate of Cowper, is a childcare desert, where at least three children compete for an early learning and care place.

On average, five children compete for a place in parts of Nambucca Heads, and at least six children compete for a place in Port Macquarie and Kempsey. 

Local health services are in strife as many nurses, midwives and doctors in the region can’t access care and therefore can’t work. 

The national strain on early learning and childcare services places pressure on the sector, early childhood educators and families, to the detriment of children and entire communities. 

Ahead of the Federal Election, The Parenthood has invited local candidates to hear from parents struggling to access childcare at a Families' Forum this Saturday, 29 March in Nambucca Heads, about why a universal early learning system is needed to best meet the needs of children in regional, rural and remote areas.

FORUM DETAILS: 

WHEN: Saturday 29 March, 3pm – 5pm

WHERE: Nambucca Community and Arts Centre, 21 Ridge Street, Nambucca Heads 2448

WHO: The Parenthood Campaign Director, Maddy Butler; CEO of Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast, Madeleine Lawler; Midwife at local hospital, Amanda Derret; and local Cowper candidates

Family-friendly food, face-painting and other child-friendly activities are included. RSVP here or walk-ins are welcome. 

Media are encouraged to attend - Maddy Butler is available for comment. 

Candidates attending:

• Caz Heise, Independent - CONFIRMED

• Greg Vigors, ALP - CONFIRMED

• Chris Walsh, One Nation - CONFIRMED

• Wendy Firefly, The Greens - CONFIRMED

• Peter Jackel, Family First - UNAVAILABLE

• Pat Conaghan, The Nationals - WILL SEND VIDEO MESSAGE

Families are encouraged to drop in with their children and share their struggles with local early learning and childcare services directly with their new potential Federal representatives.

There will be a particular focus on the healthcare workforce and the challenges facing essential workers when they can’t access care. Everyone in the community is encouraged to join.

Cowper parents, carers, educators and community members unavailable to attend are encouraged to share their feedback and questions for the candidates with The Parenthood's virtual “suggestion box”.

 Quotes attributable to Maddy Butler, Campaigns Director at The Parenthood: 

“Childcare is lacking in NSW electorate Cowper and it is having a direct impact on local health services. Services are particularly scarce in Nambucca, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Crescent Head, leaving many local parents unable to work. 

“The Parenthood is calling on all parties to address the national rural early childhood education and care shortage as a Federal Election priority.  

“The lack of local childcare options is holding the entire region back by restricting parents’ ability to work and depriving children of educational opportunities in their most formative years. 

“Local doctors, nurses, and midwives are unable to work because there’s not enough care for their kids. 

 “The forum presents an opportunity for families to share their experiences with Federal candidates, and hear what their potential solutions are for the local early learning crisis in Cowper.

“We know the business of family-life makes it difficult for parents to get involved in community activism. That’s why we’ve made this forum family friendly; with tasty food, face painting and other activities for the kids. 

“We want to give local families the opportunity to explain how this is impacting them and the types of solutions that would work best for them, and the wider community, directly to their new potential Federal Representatives,” said Ms Butler.