❓ Asks about the number of vacant childcare educator positions in both metropolitan and regional WA, staffing shortages, and the impact of housing affordability on recruitment in regional areas.

I refer to access to availability of educators for childcare services in regional Western Australia, and I ask:(a) as at 1 January 2026, how many educator positions were vacant in childcare services in the Perth Metropolitan area;(b) as at 1 January 2026, how many educator positions were vacant in childcare services outside the Perth Metropolitan area;(c) as at 1 January 2026, how many regional services reported staffing shortages for educators in the childcare service sector; and(d) has the Department received reports that housing affordability or rental shortages may be affecting the recruitment of childcare educators in regional Western Australia?