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Chairman of the Library Board John Day, Shire of Narrogin executive manager corporate and community service Ian Graham, R.W (Bob) Farr Memorial Library officer Jared Egerton-Warburton and State librarian Catherine Clark holding the special commendation certificate at the 2025 Library Board Awards.

NELLY AWARDEDR.W (Bob) Farr Memorial Library award for inclusivity

Narrogin’s celebrity mascot, Nelly the Numbat, who is a best friend, educator and role model to the local children has been etched into history at the prestigious 2025 Library Board Awards.

Hannah Whitehead

James, 4, enjoying his lunch.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
ExclusiveCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Perth childcare provider removes ‘unhealthy food’ from menus

One of Perth’s largest childcare providers has removed refined sugar and seed oils from its menu, aiming to ‘eliminate unhealthy food’ in response to demand from families. 

Rhianna Mitchell

A single-storey ‘living lab’ is proposed in Bentley.

EducationCommentsPremiumInnovative $2m Perth children’s ‘living lab’ on the cards

A proposal for a $2 million childcare and research centre in a major Perth suburb has been recommended for approval to the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel.

Sophie Gannon

‘Most high schools offer little to no play opportunities for students,’ says Kelsie Prabawa-Sear.

opinion
opinion
Kelsie Prabawa-SearCommentsPremium
opinion
School’s safety obsession is robbing kids of needed playtime

If we truly value kids’ learning, health and happiness, we must stop treating play as optional.

Kelsie Prabawa-Sear

Author Briony Stewart with Yver-Nyx Woollard 9yo and Emmeline Eslick 9yo in the State Library of WA for book week.

BooksCommentsPremiumBook Week spreads power of reading across WA

Mums and dads across the state are preparing to turn their kids into their literary alter-egos as Book Week returns for its 80th chapter.

Caitlin Vinci

Professor of Internet Studies Tama Leaver at Curtin University’s campus in Bentley, Perth.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Social mediaCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Social media ban puts kids’ digital literacy at crossroads

Australia’s looming social media ban for under-16s could be a chance to make young people the most online savvy cohort yet or a disaster if it amounts to ‘hitting the pause button’.

Kate Emery

Parents at Jolimont Primary School are hoping to delay their kids getting mobile phones.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WA NewsCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Thousands of WA parents commit to smartphone free kids

Thousands of WA parents have vowed to delay giving their children smartphones until at least high school, as a grass roots movement gathers momentum across the country.

Rhianna Mitchell

Dental therapist Pamela Holmes at Albany’s Harter Family Dental.

little smilesAlbany dentist helping parents look after their kids’ teeth

Albany dentists are spreading the word about the importance of children’s oral health throughout this year’s national dental health week, with this year’s focus on understanding the value of early dental care.

Jacki Elezovich

Noah who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

HealthCommentsPremiumBathroom haven unveiled for WA kid who beat cancer

During a gruelling cancer treatment that left him with a third degree burn on his back, fevers and unable to walk, it was the bath where Noah Johnson found solace. 

Claire Sadler

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese conceded parents were let down by governments.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Federal PoliticsCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Childcare crisis ‘priority’ for PM after parents let down

Parents have been let down in the past by governments and regulators, Anthony Albanese has admitted as Labor scrambles to fix a childcare crisis with new laws to cut off funds to substandard centres.

Nicola Smith and Katina Curtis

Kristi McVee, former police officer turned educator.

WA NewsThe 10 questions parents should ask their childcare centre

Parents all over Australia are asking the same question after horrific allegations of sexual assault in childcare centres emerged last week.  How can I keep my child safe? 

Rhianna Mitchell

Shocking statistics have discovered two thirds of West Australian children under five have never been taken to a dentist.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
HealthCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Never been taken to dentist at 5: Shock WA study

Two thirds of West Australian children under five years old have never been taken to a dentist, an alarming new study has revealed.

Dylan Caporn

Busy Bees Mirrabooka and Aspire Early Eduation and Kindergarten in Baldivis.

Federal PoliticsPremiumUnder microscope: WA childcare centres fail to meet standard

Hundreds of West Australian childcare centres either don’t meet minimum quality standards or are yet to be rated as politicians across the country focus on child safety.

Katina Curtis

The number of children admitted to hospital with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has increased.

HealthPremiumShock increase in children hospitalised with RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus cases are surging in WA after hospital admissions increased 45 per cent last month. 

Hannah Cross

Education Minister Sabine Winton.

state politicsCommentsPremiumMinister reassures WA parents after horrific sex abuse case

Education Minister Sabine Winton has ordered the State’s Education and Care Regulatory Unit to conduct a snap review of WA’s childcare system.

Jessica Page

Perth kids enjoy a Dodgy Bros dodgeball party.

WA NewsCommentsParents dodge mess and stress with kids party outsourcing

A growing number of entrepreneurs are capitalising on a boom in demand for unique, fun and - crucially - outsourced birthday parties.

Rhianna Mitchell

Two thirds of kids surveyed agreed there weren’t enough fun places to play and explore with their siblings and friends.

WA News CommentsPremium‘It’s just not fun’ say kids of Aussie playgrounds

Urban playgrounds in Australian cities are on the slide, both in quality and quantity, according to new research. 

Claire Sadler

A northern suburbs daycare has been fined $16,000 after staff left a toddler alone.

EducationVideoPremiumToddler left alone in daycare after staff knock off early

The 16-month-old’s mother arrived four minutes after the two educators left to find the building’s lights off and its doors locked shut. 

Sarah Steger

Pictured at Gwelup Playgroup are Elliot, Kirby and Tom.

ChildrenCommentsPremiumImportance of play shown though WA playgroups

Megan Mann said she loves taking her daughter to playgroup weekly because it’s the perfect place for kids to build friendships and discover new things.

Artemisia Blythe

Play is the heartbeat of childhood, and we need to give kids the opportunity to play every single day, writes Kelsie Prabawa-Sear.

opinion
opinion
Kelsie Prabawa-Sear Comments
opinion
UN’s day a reminder play is the heartbeat of childhood

Play is essential to a healthy childhood. It’s how kids learn, stretch their imagination, and work out how to navigate the world. 

Kelsie Prabawa-Sear

A teenage boy Being bullied at school.

opinion
opinion
Cher McGillivrayComments
opinion
How parents can respond when their child is the bully

Bullying is something every parent worries about - and it’s no wonder, with one in four Australian students experiencing regular bullying.

Cher McGillivray

Zenae Stott and her children on the new Early Years Bus Service that provides crucial transport to young families to education and health services across Katanning, Kojonup, Gnowangerup, and Broomehill-Tambellup.

School service Great Southern families salute new Early Years bus service

A brand-new Early Years bus service enables young children in the Great Southern access to essential early childhood services by removing persistent transport barriers.

Hannah Whitehead

Pictured practising writing at home are Kelly Ye and her son Christian.

Social AffairsHow to make kids better writers the fun way

WA researchers have good news and bad news for parents who want to turn their kids into better writers.

Kate Emery

Amber Trought, 15, wrote and performed the poem for an English assignment at school, receiving an A for the work. She gave The West Australian permission to publish it.

READ IN FULLPremiumPerth teen’s powerful poem on living with an eating disorder

A Perth teenager has written a powerful poem about her journey with an eating disorder, giving an insight into the relentless, lonely and consuming nature of the illness.

Rhianna Mitchell