Published on Monday, 15 June 2026 at 4:16:59 PM

This update on the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Retention Grant and the timing of payments to Wind in the Willows staff is provided as additional information to the previous update released on 20 May 2026. 

The delay in staff payments was unavoidable, as the Town could not reconcile the payment amounts following an underpayment from the federal Department of Education. The Department’s method for calculating the grant resulted in funding that did not align with the amount intended to be paid to staff. The delay ensured payments could be made accurately and fairly, rather than passing on an incorrect amount to staff. 

Following a review, the Department of Education confirmed that the original Grant payment provided to the Town for the Wind in the Willows Bassendean team was incorrectly calculated, resulting in a 60% shortfall in funding for the relevant period. 

The confirmed shortfall represents an underpayment of $80,255 for the period from December 2024 to 22 February 2026. The Department has committed to providing a top-up payment in June 2026 to address this shortfall. 

All current Wind in the Willows staff have now received their payment. Payments will also be made to former staff once their bank details have been verified. 

Noting the significant issue with the ECEC Grant administration, and the fact that the Town’s proposed 2026/27 fee increase would make the Town ineligible for future ECEC Grants, the Town has advised both the Department and staff that it will not continue participating in the Grant program. 

The Town thanks staff for their patience while this matter was resolved. 

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