Cunderdin Early Learning Centre (ELC) has become the latest Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Centre to join the Regional Early Education and Development Inc (REED).

This addition follows on from Child Care Centres in Corrigin, Merredin, Brookton, Yilgarn, Wundowie, Bruce Rock, and Dalwallinu which have all joined the not-for- profit service in the past eight months.

REED offers a new cluster model of management to provide ECEC services across the Wheatbelt, working to reduce the burden on local Committees and Shires to provide these vital community services.

The 19 place Centre is located at 56 Lundy Avenue, Cunderdin and employs one part-time, and three casual staff.

Hayley Byrnes, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Cunderdin said that ‘the Cunderdin Early Learning Centre was opened in 2009 by a community group that noticed a need for the service in the community. The Shire then took on the then known as “Cunderdin Day Care’ in December 2011 to ensure the service was still provided to the community.

As the Shire has been working with REED to facilitate the transfer for over 12 months, this is an exciting day. The transfer to REED means the employees will have greater support and professional development as well as ensuring the future of the service in the community. We would like to thank all past and present Committee and Staff for the years of dedicated service they have provided and we look forward to what REED has planned for Cunderdin Early Learning Centre.’

REED was officially launched by Minister Simone McGurk MLA, Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services in Narrogin in March 2018.

The State Government and Lotterywest have funded REED in the establishment phase. The head office is located in Narrogin and REED Cluster Managers service South, East and West locations in the Wheatbelt.

Over the next 18 months, additional Wheatbelt ECEC services in towns are expected to merge with REED.