Cobar and Far West Early Childhood Improvement Package

Access to early childhood education and care is critical for families, workforce participation and community liveability. This project supports improvements to childcare services in Cobar and the Far West by increasing service capacity, supporting workforce attraction and retention, and improving facilities.

Cobar Outside of School Hours Care (COOSH) is currently located in a shared Hall rented from a Church, requiring COOSH to move and unpack all resources and equipment at the end of the week to ensure other users of the hall are not impacted. The long-day care facility located in Bourke Street has relocated to the new Cobar Early Learning Centre in Brennan Street. The childcare building in Bourke Street will now be allocated to Cobar Outside of School Hours Care. This project includes the internal remodeling of the existing building to create a fit-for-purpose COOSH facility. This project will enhance functionality, accessibility, and compliance while ensuring a safe and engaging environment for children.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The project is delivered through three streams:
• Start-up support for Family Day Care operators
• Relocation and upgrade works to support Cobar Outside of School Hours Care. This includes the remodel of the building to transform a fit for purpose facility for COOSH. It will include the upgrading of the bathrooms and kitchen and will also create multifunctional spaces, a new engaging play area for varied age groups and improved building security.
• Attraction, retention, coaching, training and workforce support for children’s services

The project will help strengthen early childhood education and care services and support families across the region.

COMPLETION DATE

September 2026

FUNDING

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Western NSW Workforce Activation Program.