The key to thriving regional communities?
It Starts With Access to Quality, Early Childhood Education & Care
Join a community committed to sharing ideas, resources, and real solutions that make early childhood care more accessible for everyone, no matter your postcode.
Our Mission
The Future Care Project is more than an initiative - it is a movement. Born on the NSW/QLD border in the regional town of Goondiwindi, we are a grassroots organisation dedicated to change. Our mission is to build a powerful resources and an inspiring community where families, educators, and advocates can come together to find real solutions and meaningful support in the fight for better access to quality early childhood education and care.
Together, we are shaping a vibrant blueprint for change. Our community is powered by passionate leaders, parents, and advocates who are already breaking down barriers, navigating complex regulations, securing vital funding, building infrastructure, training teams, and cutting through red tape. Their experiences show us what is possible: fit-for-purpose strategies that work for regional communities.
We believe collaboration is our greatest strength. By uniting rather than working in isolation, we can pool our knowledge, share what works, and empower each other. This is how we dismantle the longstanding barriers holding our communities back and open pathways for every child, every parent, every business in regional Australia to thrive through better access to quality early learning and care.
Your voice matters. Your insight is essential. Together, we can create a brighter future, one powered by collective wisdom and united purpose.
Connect with us today and share your journey: hello@thefuturecareproject.com.au
Our Story
Our advocacy efforts began in collaboration with the Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce, which conducted a survey in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative. The survey, distributed among businesses, families, and early education providers in 2024, shed light on the pressing childcare challenges in our region.
The findings underscored the critical role of accessible childcare in supporting local businesses and driving economic growth. Alarmingly, 78% of surveyed businesses in our region reported that childcare shortages had significantly impacted their ability to operate. While the effects of limited childcare availability on families and children are well recognised, this research brought a new perspective, highlighting how these challenges also hinder workforce participation, business sustainability, and the broader regional economy.
This insight has sparked valuable conversations around solutions to improve childcare accessibility, helping to build a stronger and more resilient local workforce. We're excited to share our experiences and collaborate with other communities facing similar challenges, because together, we can create lasting change.
Sponsor Our Misson
Every child deserves access to quality care, and every educator and carer deserves the chance to thrive in this vital, yet often undervalued profession. By supporting this campaign, you’ll help future childcare providers access the training, tools, and mentoring they need to build strong, home-based services. Together, we can create lasting change for families, empower educators, and strengthen our entire community.
Visit our gofundme page below to find out more.
Our Data
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Our Community
Created by Essential Media, this video series explores the far-reaching effects of childcare shortages in the Goondiwindi region, demonstrating how families, providers, and businesses are being affected. It reinforces that our challenges are shared by many regional communities across Australia, making early childhood education reform a national priority. Addressing these issues will not only support local families and businesses but also drive broader economic and social benefits for regional Australia.
Click on each image below to watch the correlating video.
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Our Why:
The Story That Sparked a Movement
Join Future Care Project founder Angela Cochrane and The Rural Psychologist for an honest and inspiring conversation about how it all began and where we’re heading next. From grassroots challenges to bold new solutions, this is a must-listen for anyone passionate about regional families and the future of early childhood care.
Our Research
Recent initiatives included here highlight the need to improve Australia's Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system for better accessibility and workforce capacity. Jobs and Skills released a report with 28 findings and 41 recommendations on ECEC challenges. The South Australian Royal Commission, led by Hon Julia Gillard AC, proposed ways to enhance service quality and accessibility across various ECEC services. Additionally, The Parenthood's report emphasises gaps in ECEC in rural areas, while the Productivity Commission recommends free childcare for low-income families.
Overall, these efforts aim to strengthen ECEC services nationwide and enhance the conversation as to why we need to continue to advocate for change.
Click on the image to access to report.
Our Supporters
Our Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to acknowledge the Bigambul people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We honour their enduring connection to the lands, waters, and communities. We also would like to pay our deepest respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures thought Australia;
to Elders past, present, and emerging.