A big step forward was achieved this week as The Legislative Council has established a parliamentary inquiry into improving access to child development services in WA.

Jo Matthewson, President at Community Kindergartens Association Western Australia told Oliver Peterson on Perth Live she’s excited about this momentous step towards improving pediatric child services.

“It’s fantastic to finally be able to give the parents and kids in WA who are desperate and struggling, falling behind in school, stressed in their home life and mental health – just to give them a voice and an opportunity to be heard,” Ms Matthewson said.

The campaign was launched a couple months ago when horror stories came to light about families having to wait months to years to access these services.

“I got a lot of anonymous emails from teaching staff, one was from a Kindergarten teacher who had a child in her class who was on a two year wait-list to have eye surgery at Perth’s Children Hospital. This poor child is going to be so behind in school,” she told Oly.

“There is so much stress on teachers, families, children and schools because these kids are going through school without the support and therapy that they need.”

Press PLAY to hear how this inquiry can improve access to child services