Would you like to know the latest about OSHCsa? Click on the following link to download the OSHCsa update- a newsletter containing information about the AGM, Planning Day, free mentoring, training opportunities and much, much more.
OSHC Qualifications Review - DRAFT
A Qualifications Working Party, facilitated by DECS with representation from OSHCsa, TAFE SA in the South Australian Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DEFEEST) and the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) have reviewed the current list of approved qualifications to ensure they provide the relevant skill set that will enable graduates to meet the needs of school age children in a recreation and leisure setting.
This is a draft and has to be endorsed by the Minister for Early Chilhdood Development before it can be implemented. This is hoped to be done in line with new regulations beginning in 2012.
Congratulations - OSHCsa Personnel
OSHCsa is very excited to announce that we have selected 2 highly skilled OSHC people to undertake specified tasks - as per recentl advertisements - we offer congartulations on your behalf.
Mandy Richardson will move to become the Executive Officer of OSHCsa. In the coming days we will make announcements about how and when to contact Mandy in this role.
Heather Portway will work in conjunction with Mandy and will undertake web site development work and offer asdmin support. We welcsome Heather back to OSHC after her leave of absence with Morrison- her little boy. Many of you will remember Heather from her years at the Gowrie and as a lecturer at Croydon TAFE. We will keep you posted as Heather takes up the role.
This is the beginning of a new era for OSHC in SA. The Board asks that you continue to offer your support and feedback so that we can deliver the best support to you all. We still have a couple of vacancies on the Board and we are keen to fill those.
We congratulate new Board members - Edwina Guidolin (Trinity Gardens), Monique Azzopardi (Novita Teen Zone), Thea Kruger (Braeview) Graeme Brown (Modbury West) and Jonathon Measday (Wynn Vale West). These people join Belinda Dickson, Kay Thomas, Jan Hutchison,Tanya Geister, Kathy Strapps, Rosey Donnelly Grubb and Rose Denton to take OSHCsa forward. The election of officers is not yet complete as the new cahirperson has resigned to become the EO - we will advise you fully after the next meeting bit in the meantime the executive - Kay Thomas, Jan Hutchison and Graeme Brown will keep the wheels oiled and turning.
Draft Regulations
The draft regulations which OSHC services must comply with are on the net now. Click Here to read the draft and Here to see when consultations are in Adelaide.
2012 Training Calendar
OSHCsa has released the first half of its 2012 Training Calendar. This is a selection of professional development and training which has been organised specifically for OSHC services and located in local services. This first one is just to get us going, but we want feedback from people in their services as to what PD they would like and in what areas. By co-ordinating it through OSHCsa we can take advantage of cheaper prices and organise it at times and places near YOU!
To book, follow the link on the training page. This will be a great opportunity to keep everyone in the loop regarding the new legislation and standards in place now! This is another advantage of an OSHC co-ordinated approach - we will make sure all our trainers understand the latest implications for OSHC services.
To see the Calendar, Click on the Thumbnail
Hub Network
OSHCsa is re-introducing a systematic hub network of OSHC services across the metropolitan and rural SA. The OSHCsa Board views local and peer networking to be critically important, and is rolling out this extensive network in the hope that every service in SA will be linked to a group in their local area. We expect that these groups will become important for sharing/seeking information and also vehicles for affordable, regular training in the coming years. Please click HERE to view the hub groups.
Children's Services Award - 2011
The new Children's Services Award is due to come into effect at the beginning of 2011.
Information regarding training and support can be found at Network SA on 8445 8128.
If you are a DECS school site you can also contact Hugh Callaway on 8226 1908 for advice.
Learning Framework for School Age Care
In May 2010, Minister Kate Ellis announced $1 million will be spent on introducing a Learning Framework for school age care.
OSHCsa campaigned for inclusion in a learning framework and is very pleased with the government's response.
We believe the framework will give more credibility to the professionals working in OSHC, and help drive the sector - play spaces are important learning environments for children.
Please click here to see our position on the proposed learning framework for OSHC.
I t is an exciting time for the school age care sector in Australia. Governments are developing a national school age care framework. Titled “My Time, Our Place” the framework articulates outcomes for children attending a quality school age care service and suggests the type of experiences that are offered to achieve these outcomes. The framework for school age care will articulate the work of the school age care educator and the value of that work in the community. Thus the very nature of the framework will provide an opportunity to raise the status and profile of the profession and emphasise the critical importance of the often forgotten “middle years”. It will acknowledge and give the school age care sector professional status and recognition that is long overdue.
The draft framework is now released for reading and reflection. DEEWR will be conducting consultations on the document later in the year.
Download My Time, Our Place Draft Here>>
Download the Facilitated Discussion Paper >>
Questions and Answers
Why do we need a framework?
For the first time in Australia, governments will publicly acknowledge through the existence of this framework three very important facts:
- Quality school age care enhances children’s development.
- Engaging in play and leisure experiences are important for school age children – a time for fun, friends and learning.
- Staff in school age care are influential educators in children’s lives. The very nature of the framework will provide an opportunity to raise the status and profile of the profession and emphasise the critical importance of the often forgotten “middle years”. It will acknowledge and give the school age care sector professional status and recognition that is long overdue.
Where does this framework fit into the new Quality System?
This framework has been incorporated into the new National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care that will replace the current QA system in January 2012. Specifically, the framework will come under Quality Area 1 “Educational program and practice” in the new national quality system. Service programs will be evaluated to ensure they reflect the outcomes in the school age care framework
When will the new framework come into effect?
It is expected that the framework will be released in early 2011. Requirement to use the document will be timed with the release of the National Quality Standard in January 2012.
Why is there an emphasis on play and learning in the document?
The framework will openly acknowledge that when children play learning takes place. It is anticipated that the framework will raise the profile of play in the community. Play spaces, such as those found in Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) services are rich learning environments. This new framework will acknowledge that the play opportunities and range of experiences that happen in school age care are all learning opportunities fundamentally important to the development of children.
Why are school age care staff referred to as educators in the framework?
Under the Early Years Learning Framework all staff regardless of qualifications are referred to as ‘educators as they facilitate children’s learning through play. In order to lift the status of child care workers working with children of all ages, it has been considered that ‘educator’ more accurately reflects the important work undertaken, whether this be through formal or informal learning activities.
A good article from a Canadian team of authors about the use of the term educator can be downloaded here >>
I have children using the service who are under 5 years do I need to follow the Early Years framework Belonging, Being, Becoming” also?
The school age care framework has been designed to build on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (designed for children from birth to 5yrs) with common principals, practice and outcomes. This will ensure a seamless transition for children from early childhood to school age care services. Programs for school age children in school age care services will follow the “My Time, Our Place” framework.
Is this the final draft of the framework?
No. This copy is out for consultation and feedback. DEEWR will be seeking your feedback on the document at consultations yet to be announced. This website and your own state/ territory association will alert you to the consultations as soon as they are announced.
How can I have questions answered and discuss this document before the consultation?
Attend a local hub meeting in term 3 or Contact us at contact@oshcsa.org.au
National Quality Agenda
The National Quality Agenda is a reform being implemented by the Australian Government which aims to deliver a higher standard of care for children in the critical areas of education, health and safety and will provide clearer and comprehensive information for families so they can choose the best services for their child.
Early childhood experts and professionals maintain that quality is critical when it comes to early childhood education and care.
At the moment quality standards across early childhood education and care services vary across Australia and there is often limited information available to help families choose the best service for their children.
The National Quality Framework will require all providers to improve services in the areas that impact on a child’s development and safety and to provide families with quality information to help them make informed choices about services.
Changes will be made in key areas
The National Quality Framework will set a new National Quality Standard for early childhood education and care providers in Australia.
The National Quality Standard will improve quality through:
- improved staff to child ratios to ensure each child gets more individual care and attention
- new staff qualification requirements to ensure staff have the skills to help children learn and develop
- a new quality rating system to ensure Australian families have access to transparent information relating to the quality of early childhood education and care services
- the establishment of a new National Body to ensure early childhood education and care is of a high quality.
The new National Quality Framework will cover long day care, family day care, outside school hours care and preschools.
Where can I find out more information about the National Quality Framework prior to the forum?
More information about the National Quality Framework can be found on the DEEWR website at http://www.deewr.gov.au/EarlyChildhood/Policy_Agenda/Quality/Pages/home.aspx
If you have any other questions, please email nqf@earlychildhood.org.au