The study will assess the options for establishing a long daycare program utilising existing kindergarten and adjoining childcare facilities in towns such as Edenhope and Kaniva.

This comes after West Wimmera Shire Council voted to include $20,000 towards the study in the 2021-22 council budget earlier this year.

West Wimmera Shire Council chief executive David Bezuindenhout said the study would look to place childcare within a broader context.

"In commissioning the initial study, council was keen to ensure that the exercise looked at the whole of the shire's needs and to place childcare in the context of broader child and family service requirements," he said.

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"The council was also aware of relevant studies undertaken through the Wimmera Development Association's By Five project."

The report will build upon earlier research conducted by Murdoch Children's Institute project manager Rachel Robinson.

Ms Robinson's study highlighted the failure of market provision of childcare services in the region, specifically in Edenhope, where childcare concerns acted as a barrier to workforce participation.

The study will also be influenced by work from Federation University's Dr Cathy Tischler, which found apparent faults in west Wimmera's childcare market.

Council will also look at which providers are suitable to establish a long-term childcare service in the region.

Edenhope mother, Danielle Irving, is part of a group of parents who brought the idea of a feasibility study to the council in its 2021-22 council budget meetings.

She said parents are happy with the outcome and have received assurances from the council that a childcare facility will become available next year.

"We are really excited that we have taken another step forward, and it has just been incredible the way everyone has worked together behind the scenes," she said.

"It has been pretty remarkable and unique in that sense, with every major player in the town working together - it is great that we have all come to this point together."

Ms Irving said she has met with many stakeholders in Edenhope interested in facilitating a childcare service, namely Mr Bezuindenhout, who said the study should take six weeks to complete.

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"We have been really heartened by meetings with David (Bezuindenhout). He has made it so clear that this is something that everyone needs and wants and will make happen," she said.

"We have had only a couple meetings with the shire, but separately with the stakeholders, we have had several meetings.

"It is going to happen one way or another, and this way is really positive because it takes a lot of pressure off of individuals, businesses and organisations like the hospital.

"When anyone hears about a feasibility study, you feel a bit crestfallen, and you think this is going to take forever.

"But we have been assured it is going to take six weeks and there are still really high hopes that by the start of kindergarten next year we will also have a childcare centre running with the kinder. For many of us, we couldn't ask for a lot more."

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