CELEBRATING OSHC

CHILDREN & FAMILIES:

In today’s busy world OSHC is an essential service for many families. These services provide an opportunity for children to develop an extended range of skills and abilities in an informal setting. Children in OSHC frequently have long term relationships with carers – over the years of their primary schooling.

OSHC services enable families greater flexibility to make work and life choices. Families may use a mixture of formal care in OSHC and time with extended family where possible. In doing this there is scope for parents to take up study options as well as work and so enhance their future employment prospects.

It is important that operators of OSHC services are engaged in the operation of a service and that they recognise the potential that a high functioning service has in the lives of children and families within the community in which it operates. It is a service for children, for their immediate family and in some instances for their extended family too.

OSHC services should strive to provide a rich environment where children are learning and their development is nurtured. A strong link between OSHC and the formal curriculum that children are guided through in classrooms settings is a goal to strive for. Children and families should be confident to have input into what happens at OSHC and should be encouraged to do so. Every part of a child’s day is important and this certainly includes OSHC.

OSHC services are now looking after the children of parents who were OSHC children in their time at school

EMPLOYEES:

OSHC services offer employment opportunities for many. There is a need for a large pool of casual staff (particularly in school vacations). This work augments the income for contract teachers and provides “pocket money” for many tertiary students.

Though it is not widely acknowledged, OSHC provides students teachers with extensive contact with children and families and this invaluable experience provides a unique opportunity to test theory in a real setting.

COMMUNITY:

OSHC provides a source of income for countless small businesses and contractors in the towns and suburbs across the state. Think of the range of businesses that send flyers to your services seeking your support especially in vacation care. The OSHC Association is keen to explore some greater efficiency here to provide a service to both our sector and these businesses.