Early childhood Minister Sabine Winton visits Katanning as construction of Early Childhood Hub gathers pace

The shovels were out in force as construction of Katanning’s Early Childhood Hub gathered pace last week. Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton visited the town on November 27 to shift some sand alongside Minderoo Foundation executive director Penny Dakin. The hub is one of 24 priority projects under the Early Years Partnership, a collaboration between the State Government, Minderoo Foundation, and the communities of Armadale West, Bidyadanga, Central Great Southern and Derby. It will provide 67 daycare places, a family centre and child health offices with a completion target in the first half of 2027. The State Government has invested $7.3 million and the Minderoo Foundation $2.2m in the hub, which aims to improve the development, health, and learning of children aged 0-4 years. Lotterywest and the Shire of Katanning have also made financial contributions. Katanning grandmother Hafidah Eridat welcomed the start of building, which she said had been a long time coming. “It means a lot,” she said. “When the hub was in planning, my son was little, but now it’s not only for my grandies, but the next generation of little children coming through. “My grandies will be able to use this beautiful, culturally safe space.” Minister Winton said local families would benefit from having a range of co-ordinated services in one place. “This is another fantastic example of what can be achieved through the Early Years Partnership, by enabling communities to lead their own development based on their unique needs,” she said. “I acknowledge that this is a long-awaited project for the community, and I’m so pleased to see the EYP back this long-held community vision and make it a reality.” Ms Dakin said local services were essential to helping children thrive. “If WA is to give every child the best start in life, we must nurture potential and foster inclusion through well-designed infrastructure and culturally responsive services that strengthen families and communities,” she said. “This hub is a powerful example of what can be achieved when community, government, and philanthropy work together through the Early Years Partnership.”