Working Hedland parents will have more opportunities for out of hours school care, with extra places opening up in Hedland through Child Campus, which operates at both Baler Primary School and more recently, at St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School.
The new program at St Cecilia’s will make 50 extra places available to locals, both before and after school, helping with the shortage of child care positions in town.
Child Campus Hedland manager Chipo Zimba said she hoped to provide the Hedland parents a service where they know their child is safe and looked after, without disrupting their working day.
“Hedland is not just a working town, the difference is there are long day shifts,” she said.
“Most of the parents are working 12 hour shifts, this is a remote town, it is hard for the parents to be away from work.
“We collect the children from school, when they come we have food for them… we want the parents to know their children are safe and secure here.”
Child Campus offers play-based learning after school, making sure the children are having fun.
Chipo said she wants to make sure Hedland children are able to simply be kids after school.
“I am very passionate about children,” she said.
“I believe the philosophy that you can never have your childhood again, if you leave it now you never get it back.
“So we want to make the best memories for their children and make it a second home for them, with fun, learning based activities.”
Child Campus checks in weekly with students to make sure the activities are something they want to be doing, while menus are sent home to parents to make sure they are happy with what their kids are eating.
Child Campus also offers school holiday programs, to ensure there are more places for Hedland’s young people while their parents are busy at work.
To enquire about a position in Child Campuses Out of School Care Hours program, you can head to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Child-Campus-Hedland-107939411778117
