Aidan Curtis
THE push for better childcare and early learning services access in Kingston SE has bought the childcare working group before the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.
Kingston Early Learning and Childcare Services Working Group member Kristen Wilks represented the region as part of a panel which shared the voices and experiences of regional South Australians.
Ms Wilks, alongside Katie Hughes of Yorke Peninsula and Steph Wurst of Kangaroo Island, told the Royal Commission about the challenges involved in accessing childcare and the impact it has on rural communities.
She said the significance of being asked to present to Royal Commission was not lost on her.
“It was a privilege to be asked to appear as a representative of KELCS and the community of Kingston,” she said.
“The Royal Commission is really looking towards what can be implemented in the future rather than looking back at the past.
“The Royal Commission is an important part of the review process to seek the information and understand the early childhood education and care (ECEC) challenges that exist for modern families in SA, particularly in regions where there are accessibility issues.”
Ms Wilks said she “eagerly awaits” the findings in the Royal Commission’s final report, and that she hopes to see meaningful change come as a result.
“We are hoping for greater equity and equality for children and families who live in rural and remote South Australia with respect to early childhood education and care,” she said.
“To overcome the current barriers and disadvantage to create a new universal and all-encompassing quality ECEC system delivered through/by the State Government that meets the needs of children and modern families, particularly in the first 1000 days to set up a great foundation for the rest of their life.
“What we would like to see is ‘wrap around services’ that include access to health and parent services on site, includes preschool/kindergarten and is co-located on school sites.”
Ms Wilks said she was a bit anxious about presenting to the Royal Commission at first.
“It’s not every day you get to have the attention of such an incredibly strong, intelligent and kind ex-PM in Commissioner Julia Gillard,” Ms Wilks said.
“It was a great personal experience, very nerve wracking and daunting with a lot of preparation, a written submission and very little sleep the night before, but a wonderful opportunity to represent the KELCS committee and the interests of working women and families from regional and remote SA.”
The Royal Commission’s final report is due to be delivered in August.
