WHAT IS THE KATANNING EARLY CHILDHOOD HUB (ECH) PROJECT?
Essentially this project is about co locating all Early Childhood related services that cater for 0 to 8 year olds, with additional consultation rooms and conference facilities.
This is an exciting project with the potential to greatly improve the service delivery, and therefore developmental outcomes, for all children in Katanning and surrounding areas.
So how did the project come about?
Early in 2011 an interactive workshop was held to discuss the future of the Community Kindergarten. One idea that garnered significant interest was a multi-purpose facility to house all Early Childhood related community groups. In the following days Davina Davies and Tania Edwards discussed the idea and decided it was time to stop talking, take action & let the dreaming begin! A meeting was quickly held between the groups most likely to benefit from co-location and thus the project began.
Whilst the Hub idea was not new it now had the momentum, support and drive needed from the stakeholders and beneficiaries to get the project off the ground.
Major stakeholders invited to the first meeting included representatives from the Katanning Community Kindergarten, Katanning Community Childcare Centre, Katanning Playgroup, Katanning Toy Library, Child Health, A Smart Start – Great Southern, WANSLEA and English As A Second Language. All participants identified the main benefits of an Early Childhood hub facility to include better networking; easier transitions and pathways between the groups; greater opportunities to capture and engage the itinerant communities; integrated service delivery, and possible increases in membership in a one stop shop setting. It was agreed that the long-term focus for the Early Childhood Hub needed to include earlier identification of special needs / learning difficulties & an increase in Katanning’s very poor Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) rating.
It is believed a purpose built facility is the best option and many sites have been considered. The committee has discussed all options with the Shire of Katanning and now has a short list. The two most likely candidates are the vacant land adjacent to the Katanning Primary School (corner of Daping and Bokarup Streets) and Thomson Park (corner of Piesse and Park Streets).
MEETINGS, MEETINGS & MORE MEETINGS!
Since the projects formal inception in April this year a significant amount of work has been completed.
This has included the opportunity to brief our political leaders on the project and receive their input. Davina (Chairperson) & Tania (Secretary) have met with Hon. Tony Crook, Hon. Mia Davies, Hon. Robyn McSweeney and Hon. Liz Constable. A forum convened by Michelle Scott (Commissioner for Children and Young People) also discussed the Hub proposal. All expressed their support for Early Childhood Hubs in general and for our project. Outcomes of these meetings showed that our initial focus on the 0-5 year old age bracket should be increased to the 0-8 year old age group and that an association with a Primary School would be very beneficial.
The committee held an initial public consultation (with more to follow) in May and then in June presented the initial concept to the Shire of Katanning. All councillors were very supportive and gave the committee some guidance for the way forward. In addition, The Shire of Katanning has given the Committee a letter indicating their in-principle support for the project. This allowed the committee to move forward with a feasibility study.
A project brief was developed as a clear outline of the three planning stages required for this project. They are Feasibility and Needs Analysis, Business Case and Concept Design with full construction costing. Progression between stages is contingent upon approval from the ECH committee. A proposal was sought from numerous consultants and the most suitable applicant chosen. A very positive meeting has already been held between key committee members and this consultant. Some tasks to be undertaken include determination of community need for an ECH, demographic analysis, site analysis and recommendation, risk assessment of all stakeholders,development of a business case, analysis and recommendation of a management structure, development of concept drawings and construction costing. A copy of this project brief is available to interested parties.
Commencement of Stage One is, of course, contingent upon funding. A LotteryWest grant application for partial funding was submitted in August with an outcome expected by the end of the year. A funding request has also been submitted to the Great Southern Development Commission to enable completion of all planning stages for the project.
The Great Southern Development Commission has supplied much needed support and guidance for the committee through all stages of the project. At a recent meeting it was agreed that a basic building plan should be developed. This will assist with engaging peoples’ interest in our project and allow stakeholders to visualise the design and identify issues. With no architect on our committee Tania’s kitchen table became an amateur design board amongst a bevy of scissors, paper, blu-tac, rulers and calculators! A copy of a very basic design plan is available to all interested parties.
CONSULTATIONS
The committee recognises the importance of engaging all members of the Katanning community to ensure the needs of all are catered to. Consultation meetings are being held with various groups in preparation for the feasibility study. These include cultures such as the Malay, Noongar, Burrundi, Burmese and Afghan communities. Ongoing discussions are also being held with appropriate agencies such as Community Health, Aboriginal Health, Communities for Children, Anglicare, Department for Children Protection, local schools & Community Health representatives.
FUNDRAISER
The committee needed to raise $1,000 towards the cost of Stage One and did this by catering for the HACC Melbourne Cup luncheon. Seventy two senior citizens needed to be fed!
The fundraiser was coordinated by committee member Megan Lydeamore and due to her wonderful organisation skills and an overwhelming support from a number of volunteers the event was more fun than work. It did of course include a well-deserved glass of champagne post race! Special mention must go to Katanning Community Childcare Centre who provided a free crèche which enabled all our volunteers to make this event happen!
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
The committee will continue to consult with community groups and promote the project whilst waiting for funding approvals to commence Stage One. However, we’re also busily working on Stage Two and Three as we are quietly confident we’ll be successful with the first stage!
We’re currently in the process of developing a website to keep interested parties up-to-date with the latest developments. This will hopefully be finalised by the end of the month & a big thank you to our committee member Siti Turiya, for volunteering her time & expertise to develop the website.
We would love to talk to you about the Early Childhood Hub project so please feel free to contact either Davina or Tania as per the details below.
Davina Davies (Chairperson)
Email: mitdavdavies@bigpond.com
Phone: 08) 98217 468
Tania Edwards (Secretary)
Email: ech@westnet.com.au
Phone: 08) 98214219
