Case Study

Early Years Services – Feasibility Study

Introduction

Early Years services in the Northam area faced challenges in both delivery and accommodation. Fragmented service delivery and a lack of cohesive infrastructure were key barriers to providing effective support to families and children. Recognising the need for change, the Shire of Northam supported a community group to engage our expertise to explore practical solutions.

Situation

The Northam region’s Early Years services operated across multiple, disconnected locations, making access difficult for families. Service providers struggled with limited resources and facilities that were not fit-for-purpose. The absence of a coordinated strategy led to inefficiencies and hindered opportunities for collaboration among providers. Addressing these issues was critical to enhancing outcomes for young children and their families.

Solution

We adopted a multi-faceted approach to understand the unique challenges faced by the Northam area:

Stakeholder Engagement: We conducted extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including service providers, community groups, and families, to gather insights and understand their needs.
Research and Analysis: Our team undertook detailed research into best practice examples from comparable regional areas, highlighting successful models that could be adapted locally.
Accommodation Review: We assessed the current infrastructure and identified opportunities for co-location of services, improving accessibility and fostering greater collaboration.
Strategic Recommendations: We developed a series of evidence-based options to improve service cohesion, operational efficiency, and governance models.

Outcome

The feasibility study delivered a clear roadmap for the future of Early Years services in Northam. Key recommendations included:

Strategies to strengthen collaboration and alignment between service providers.
Practical options for co-locating services to improve accessibility and resource-sharing.
Governance improvements to streamline operations and ensure sustainable service delivery.

The study provided the Shire of Northam and the community group with actionable solutions to address current challenges and better support families and children in the region. By fostering cohesion and improving infrastructure, the proposed strategies set a strong foundation for the delivery of high-quality Early Years services.