Kiddipedia
Working parents are skilled jugglers, admirably managing to balance work, family, and life while keeping all the balls in the air. The big issue that we working parents face is child care. Some families have family or friends who can help provide care, while others rely solely on the paid childcare system.
This issue doesn’t disappear with the commencement of school. A school day typically runs from 8.45 am to 3.30 pm – outside of those hours, you may have to use before and after-school care programs to ensure your child is in safe hands.
With thousands of providers Australia-wide, how do you know your child is getting quality care? Do staff have a child-focused qualification, such as a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and/or many years of experience? What activities do they run? Is food provided?
Getting started can certainly be a daunting prospect, but never fear, we have answered some common questions below to help you on your way.
What is Before & After School Care?
Outside school hours care (OSHC or OOSH) programs operate in many suburban schools across Australia and may offer care before and after school, on pupil-free days, and in the school holidays. As well as supporting working parents, OSHC programs also aim to engage, educate and nurture children whilst fostering independence.
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority administers the National Quality Framework which outlines the standards for child care. OSHC programs are required to meet the standards which are regulated by states and territories.
- Who runs OSHC Programs?
OSHC services are operated by private organisations, not-for-profit or charitable agencies, or school parent committees. In small or rural communities, it is common to see parent-managed services but they are rarer in urban areas.
Over the past few years, OSHC has been the fastest-growing area in the childcare sector. As demand for services has increased, the number of private providers has also increased, with large organisations establishing firm footholds in the industry.
Some of the large organisations that provide OSH care are Team Kids, Camp Australia, YMCA, OSH Club, TheirCare, and PCYC. Schools generally contract services independently, basing their decision on the needs of the school community and the quality of care a company provides.
- When do after-school care Programs operate?
Most OSHC programs operate between the hours of 6 am and 6.30 pm. Opening and closing times vary between programs based on the needs of the community so it’s important to check individual operating hours.
If you need earlier or later operating hours, it’s worth talking with other parents to see if there’s a wider need for change. The program manager may consider longer operating hours if there is enough demand. Most often, families can enrol for particular days and sessions, and bookings may be ongoing or ad hoc.
- What Happens at OSHC?
One of the great benefits of attending an OSHC program is the opportunity to build social skills through structured and unstructured play with other children of all ages.
Activities vary between services, but all programs are required to provide opportunities for learning, social connection and wellbeing. Activities may include STEM-based fun, physical play, cooking, gardening, board games, team games, music, drama, incursions, and excursions. Services are required to have a fairly detailed plan, if there isn’t one on display you can ask to see it.
OSHC programs are required to provide nourishing food for all children. Services usually offer breakfast and afternoon tea, and should have a weekly menu available. If your child has particular dietary needs, be sure to discuss them with the coordinator before enrolling.
- What are the Costs of After School Care Programs?
The national average cost for OSHC is just under $7.70 an hour. Services set their own fee structure and prices, and generally parents are charged per session not per hour (e.g. the before school session is charged for two hours even if your child attends for only half an hour).
The federal government offers the Child Care Subsidy to help with the cost. Depending on your hours of work or training and your income, you may be eligible for the subsidy, which can cover up to 90% of the fees. Check your eligibility at the Services Australia website.
Ongoing bookings are usually cheaper than casual bookings, check with your service to ensure you are getting the best deal.
- Staff & Training for After-School Care Programs
Up to 30% of school-aged children attend an OSHC program and yet there are no national minimum qualification requirements. In NSW and Tasmania, staff – commonly referred to as educators – do not need to have any qualification, even at a managerial level. In all other states and territories, a Certificate III or higher is generally required.
Regardless of qualification requirements, all services must have at least one first-aid-trained educator on duty at all times. There are also many other regulations that need to be followed, including the Food Safety Standards, the Australian Dietary Guidelines, the Anti-Discrimination Act, and the Child Protection Act.
If you are concerned about the level of educator training, ask about the staff’s training and experience and whether ongoing professional learning is undertaken.
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Your family is your priority and, to make the best choice when considering OSHC options, it is important you have all the information you can get. Contact the services available to you, request a tour, and ask questions so that your family can enjoy all the wonderful experiences OSHC offers!
