Ewin Centre crisis

Kununurra's only childcare facility is in crisis and its Pindan pre-school has been temporarily closed.

The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley has moved rapidly to help the Ewin Centre get its house in order, allocating $12,000 to help it address issues facing it.

A recent report to council suggested that the centre would cease to operate without some level of Shire support.

The Ewin Centre management committee contacted the Shire and said it had 'immediate management issues' in four areas.

These were building accreditation, staffing, financial and committee management.

The committee told the Shire its buildings were due for accreditation on December 2 and were unlikely to be accredited in their current state.

Staffing levels were not sustainable and there was a lack of accredited and skilled staff.

The current financial position was unclear and some information appeared to be missing.

The committee structure was not sustainable in the long-term.

With the support of the Shire the Ewin Centre plans to close the Pindan facility temporarily, undertake a mock audit, attempt to have the Department of Community Development appoint a temporary coordinator, implement staff training, engage an external bookkeeper and access service agreements.

The Ewin Centre currently provides long day care, occasional care, after school care and vacation care.

Closure of the centre could cause crisis for many of Kununurra's working parents.