The Merredin and Districts Childcare and Playschool (MADCAPS) is the most recent childcare group to join the Regional Early Education and Development Inc (REED) project - a not-for-profit delivering services for Wheatbelt families.
Nationals WA leader Mia Davies, who helped invest $9.3 million to the REED fund while in government, welcomed the announcement of the newest local addition to the initiative.
Ms Davies said REED played a critical role in children's development and worked to deliver sustainable and affordable childcare solutions tailor-made for communities in the Wheatbelt.
"This new cluster model of management is designed to provide services across the Wheatbelt, working to reduce the pressure on volunteer committees and local Shires to navigate the complex regulatory environment of childcare," Ms Davies said.
"Our hardworking voluntary committees have been under pressure juggling the challenges of meeting regulations, attracting and retaining qualified staff, keeping prices affordable and the doors open.
"It's wonderful to see REED rolling out over the Wheatbelt after the hard work by many passionate people to get it up and running - I know many of my local services are champing at the bit to get involved."
MADCAPS is the latest organisation in the Central Wheatbelt electorate to join the not-for-profit REED service, with Corrigin's Gigglepots Childcare Centre becoming the first early childhood education and care centre in June.
Ms Davies said REED had been developed and adapted from the Lady Gowrie model of childcare used in Tasmania to address challenges of small populations in regional areas.
"This new model has the potential to create a long-term, financially stable and affordable childcare services that will support families, businesses and local shires," she said.
