Bourke and Cobar will gain over 120 combined childcare places after the State Government committed more than $3 million to increase staff and spaces.

The government announced on November 8 it will give Cobar Shire Council $1.3 million to expand family day care and help rehome Cobar Out of School Hours, from a leased church hall to the Kubby House Childcare Centre.

Bourke and District Children’s Services will get $1.85 million for a new childcare space and to help attract and retain workers.

The service will also have $900,000 to create 20-place out of school hours care program, which would run five days a week for 40 weeks of the year.

At the service, which currently has up to 39 childcare places and a waitlist for 46 children, funding will create 20 childcare places for children aged zero to three, plus four full time jobs.

The new space will have with three child-accessible bathrooms and two craft sinks.

The government said relocation support will be offered to attract new staff and retention bonuses available to encourage long-term service.