Wheatbelt Organisation for Children’s Services [WOCS] is an incorporated, not-for-profit organisation that formed in July 2005, to address concerns over the long term sustainability of childcare in the rural sector of WA.
WOCS membership is made up of a diverse group of individuals throughout the Wheatbelt and beyond including:

• Child care professionals
• Local government representatives
• Parents and,
• Community members

Our organisation aims to highlight the current plight of childcare in the Wheatbelt. WOCS has established partnerships with industry and government bodies, and works towards the common goal of creating a strong network throughout rural Western Australia to support the long term sustainability of childcare in the rural sector.

Mr Brendan Grylls (leader of the WA National Party) is the patron of WOCS and has strongly supported the group from inception through to its official launch in October 2006.
"WOCS is the most exciting organisation to be involved with at the moment".
(Mr Grylls, WOCS 2006 Launch). WOCS has so far achieved the following:

• Compilation of Wheatbelt Childcare Profile document (updated 2006)
• Kulin Forum 2005 & Toodyay Conference 2006 – issues raised include, lack of child care services, lack of funding and Child Care Benefit for some services, childcare regulations and expectations placed on volunteers
• Development of the proposed new models of child care to meet the needs of rural communities – the flexible rural model and the single operated child care service. A consultative paper was drawn up by DCD regarding these models. WOCS continues to work with both DCD and FACSIA on this project
• Meetings with both State and Federal Ministers responsible for Child Care
• WOCS has representatives appointed on both the Ministerial Child Care Advisory Committee and the Child Care Regulations Consultative Committee
• WOCS has developed a working partnership with RUCSN resulting in the appointment of a project officer funded by Lotterywest to facilitate a pilot project to enhance supports for volunteer management committees.
• Successfully applying for funding to develop a website.
• Winner of the Community Service Industry Awards 2007 for Strengthening Rural and Remote Communities

Our focus on issues has not stopped at the above, we are committed to working towards the following:

• Obtaining more supports for volunteers managing child care services
• Raising issues and looking towards solutions regarding managing non profit services, staffing, licensing and ways to assist services and communities to achieve quality care
• Ensuring equitable access to training for staff in rural areas
• Access to either Child Care Rebate for all services or increased annual funding for services that are not eligible for Child Care Benefit
• Establishing supports for the accreditation process
• Developing a reference manual for volunteer management committees
• Ensuring recognition of the difference between city and rural childcare services
• Continuing to develop links with organisations in the Wheatbelt so that a combined effort occurs towards working towards a sustainable future for Wheatbelt communities.

WOCS has been a successful organisation because, not only does it aim to highlight the issues facing rural communities in relation to children's services, the group works hard to come up with real solutions to overcome these issues.

WOCS has emphasised the need to work with relevant government bodies and other organisations to look for ways to resolve these issues. The group wants to continue collaborating with others to help in the development of our rural communities.

This is a proactive group working to help further enhance the communities in the Wheatbelt by developing and supporting sustainable services that help meet not only the social and well being needs of families but to also further add to the economic sustainability of rural communities.

If you are interested in joining this vibrant community group or can offer support please contact WOCS.