Speaking about the CLA’s support of The Queensland Thrive By Five Alliance Action Plan, CLA Board Chair, Melissa Westcott

shared, “We strongly support The Thrive by Five Action Plan as it aligns with our mission and addresses some of the

childcare challenges we face in our regional communities. We are testament to two of the points in the Action Plan –

having a workforce strategy to attract and retain early learning educators and teachers and having local solutions

connected to communities.”

The CLA has been formed to initially work with two pilot towns in the Isaac Regional Council area to develop and trial

strategic and innovative solutions that will empower early childhood and school age care providers to attract, retain, and

up-skill educators. This work requires a whole-of-community approach, and collaboration with all groups in the community,

including the Isaac Regional Council, mining operators, educators, centre managers, parents and families, schools, and

community groups, to help design and implement long-term, sustainable solutions.

“The Childcare Leadership Alliance welcomes Thrive by Five’s action plan and we encourage all members of government to

support this plan,” added Melissa Comerford, Project Manager of the CLA. “We also welcome any minister, shadow

minister or government representative to reach out and connect with us so we can work collaboratively together to

address the issues and inequalities being faced by families in regional Queensland in relation to accessing stable early

years education and care services.”