Scholarship recipients Kerralee Fox, Amanda Brietkopf and Jamie BlandIn the Pilbara, where the resources sector is booming, demand for quality child care is at an all time high.

Without adequate child care services, parents are less likely to return to work and fill much-needed roles in the local community.  This often includes teachers, nurses and shop assistants who are providing a second income for their families.

The Rio Tinto Pilbara Community Partnerships Programme is contributing to a swathe of partnerships to help tackle the shortage of child care in the region.  These include a scholarship programme for early learning specialists, support to establish more home-based family day care and new out-of-school and vacation care services.

These initiatives are providing real solutions to the pressing need for more child care in the Pilbara, as well as improving the skills of many child care professionals to improve the quality of that care.