A childcare crisis is deepening across the Kimberley as an after-school care service in Kununurra becomes the latest to fall victim to staff shortages.
A critical lack of trained staff means demand for childcare places has far outstripped supply, forcing families to consider their future in the remote region.
Centres in Broome and Kununurra have slashed existing places to keep within staff-child ratio regulations, leaving devastated parents to scramble to find new arrangements.
Broome Daycare Centre emailed parents in May saying it would only prioritise essential worker families and at-risk children.
The centre's managers declined an interview request.
Indigo Montessori Broome asked families earlier this month to find alternative care arrangements, if possible, as it struggled to replace departed staff.
The centre has been contacted for comment.
After-school care offered by St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Kununurra will be suspended next week after a trained supervisor could not be recruited despite a months-long search.
School principal Gabby Franco emailed parents saying she was hopeful the service could restart in late June through another provider.
Mum Natalie Lees said the decision had left her family with a juggling act to care for her eight-year-old son after school.
"My son will have to sit outside on his iPad at one of our workplaces," she said.
She said her son was sad because he wouldn't be able to play with some of his friends anymore.
Loss of childcare prompts tough decisions
She said other parents left reeling by the suspension of the after-school care service were facing tough financial decisions.
"Parents might have to finish work earlier than usual," Ms Lees said.
She said that could impact on staffing at other businesses in Kununurra.
Kimberley's quality of life compromised
The ABC has spoken to several families and community leaders across the wider Kimberley who say the childcare crisis is preventing much-needed young professionals from staying in the region long term.
They say situation has also been made worse by a severe shortage of rentals, dramatically pushing up prices in Broome and Kununurra and dissuading would-be workers from moving to the area.
Childcare workers do not have access to WA Government Regional Officers' Housing, which is used to attract other essential workers to the region like teachers and police.
Ms Lees said while the Kimberley had many positives, the broader issue of livability, hampered by severely compromised services, weighed heavily on the minds of parents.
Catholic Education Western Australia said in a statement St Joseph's Catholic Primary School had not been immune to the wider economic challenges posed by the pandemic including an increase in labour shortages.
