From Little Things, Big Things Grow: Childcare Arrives in Birdsville and Bedourie

by Ellen Lyne, Uniting Early Learning

Uniting Family Day Care is proud to announce the expansion of childcare services into two of Queensland’s most remote communities – Birdsville and Bedourie.

This exciting milestone has been made possible through a unique partnership between Uniting Family Day Care and Diamantina Shire Council, demonstrating what can be achieved when organisations work together to support regional and remote families.

Through the partnership, Diamantina Shire Council has provided rent-free housing for two Family Day Care educators. With this support in place, Uniting Family Day Care successfully recruited and relocated educators to both communities, creating new opportunities for local children and families to access quality early childhood education and care close to home.

Behind the scenes, Family Day Care Coordinators Deyell Sorsa and Debbie Joyce have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. From coordinating recruitment and relocation arrangements to travelling to the communities to ensure the homes were ready to provide education and care, their dedication has been unwavering.

Relocating educators to remote communities is about far more than establishing childcare services. Throughout the process, Deyell and Debbie have prioritised educator wellbeing, building strong connections and ensuring each educator felt supported every step of the way. They have also worked closely with community members to encourage local support and help families embrace their new childcare providers.

This achievement is a testament to the power of partnership, persistence and community spirit.

A special acknowledgment goes to Catherine Hunter and Susan Thomas, who will forever be part of the history of both Uniting Family Day Care and these communities. Their willingness to embrace a new adventure means that Birdsville and Bedourie can once again encourage young families to live, work and thrive in their towns, knowing that quality childcare is available close to home.

As the saying goes, from little things, big things grow. This is just the beginning of what is possible when communities come together to invest in the future of their children and families.

The surrounding area