DOZENS of childcare places are currently available right across the Central West, you've just got to know where to look.
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The Australian Government's Child Care Finder site has received more than 100,000 visits a month since it was launched in December, Australian Community Media (ACM) reports.
Bathurst currently has the most availability with 12 centres listing vacancies, this is followed by Dubbo (10), Orange (9), Cowra (4), Mudgee (3), Young (3) and Forbes (2).
Blayney, Lithgow, Parkes and Wellington each have one centre with vacancies.
There is currently no availability in Grenfell, Nyngan and Oberon.
While the website details which towns and centres have available childcare places, it also recommends which facilities should be contacted for possible vacancies.
A number of search options are available for parents who are looking for permanent or casual vacancies for their child.
Filters including the age of their child, days needed, service type, and inclusions such as food, education, excursions and nappies can also be selected.
Centre-based day care options are searchable as well as family day care, in-home care and outside school hours care services.
"They can also see at a glance important information like opening hours and fees, which is a welcome addition for time-poor families who want to quickly compare options in their neighbourhood," Human Services Minister Michael Keenan told ACM.
Parents can also easily see how each provider rates against the national quality framework benchmarks.
The Child Care Finder website also includes information on Australia's early learning and care system; child care subsidies, and a payment and service finder.
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