Looking at completion in 2016, Bogan Shire has received funding for and started the highly anticipated Day Care Centre. 

Bogan Shire Council successfully applied for a Federal Government Long Day Care Capital Funding Exceptional Circumstances grant which is designed to assist rural and remote communities develop centre-based child care.

Currently, families have to make private arrangements or drive 80kms to Warren and Trangie to access a day care service. 

Bogan Shire Mayor Ray Donald said the grant of $450,000 would go towards the centre being built on council-owned land in Dandaloo Street for children aged from zero to five. 

“There will be a modern indoor and outdoor play spaces, cot and nappy changing rooms, kitchen, laundry and also a storage shed and base for the Bogan Bush Mobile service. Council will fund the remaining cost of the project expected to be $250,000,” he said. 

Manager of the council-owned Bush Mobile Service, Nichole Jenkins said it’s a great opportunity for the shire.

“The opportunity to build a centre from scratch will ensure it is state of the art with modern, well-designed spaces and the latest in education resources and a healthy, nutritional menu will be prepared on site for all children,” she said. 

The plan is for the centre to be open 10 hours a day, five days a week throughout the year. 

The centre will also provide employment opportunities within the shire. 

“When fully operational it is expected the Nyngan Long Day Care Centre will employ up to 10 full-time staff and provide a career path for those wanting to work in the early childhood sector,” general manager Derek Francis said. 

“It will also boost the retail sector by giving parents of young children another reason to come to town.”

The centre is expected to open early next year.