There are 16 childcare centres and 1,236 childcare places in the city, according to Dubbo Regional Council. Yet based on information in the latest census there are 2,937 children from naught to four-years-old.

However, the statistics may not be as bad as they seem. In a report on childcare places for council, manager social services John Watts said as well as the childcare centres in the city there were places provided through Family Day Care.

There are currently 402 children registered for care as well as 46 educators registered to provide care with Dubbo Family Day Care.

“There are waiting lists for childcare in Dubbo. These waiting lists are generally in the naught to two years category and occur both in centres and Family Day Care,” Mr Watts said.

“Rainbow Cottage Childcare Centre currently has a waiting list of 25 in the naught to two years category, with frequent enquiries made in relation to available places.”

The waiting lists were not seen throughout the city, however, Mr Watts said, with some centres having vacancies.

One issue was the recruitment and retention of trained childcare workers, the manager social services said.

“Degree qualified and trained workers generally seek employment in the school system. This is usually attributed to better working conditions, better pay, shorter working hours and more secure tenure,” Mr Watts said.

Rainbow Cottage –  58

Peppercorn –  96

Multipurpose Allira Gathering Association –  39

Stepping Stones –  90

Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre –  87

Good Start Early Learning- Wheelers Lane –  76

Good Start Early Learning- Cobra Street –  75

Good Start Early Learning- Baird Drive –  90

Little Learners Long Day Care and Preschool –  83

Playmates Cottage –  42

Wattle Early Learning Centre –  40

Dubbo Early Learning Centre –  100

Blueridge Early Learning Centre –  124

Carlton House Childcare Centre and Preschool –  86

Red Gum Childcare Centre –  100

Gowrie Dubbo –  50