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About Us
About Us
Network of Community Activities is the Peak representative body for Out of School Hours Care in NSW & ACT.
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What We Do
What We Do
Network provides information, advocacy, training and support for organisations and individuals working with communities offering services to school age children.
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Training
-
About Us
About Us
Network of Community Activities is the Peak representative body for Out of School Hours Care in NSW & ACT.
-
What We Do
What We Do
Network provides information, advocacy, training and support for organisations and individuals working with communities offering services to school age children.
-
Training
Cart
What is Out of School Hours Care?
About OOSH
What is OOSH?
Out of School Hours Care is care provided primarily to children of primary school age. This includes:
- Before School Care;
- After School Care; and
- Vacation Care.
Out of School Hours Care is best known as OOSH in NSW, but you may also see it referred to as OSHC by the government and colloquially in other states and territories.
About OOSH
Out of School Hours services prioritise play and nurture this essential component of childhood. OOSH offers a variety of exciting play activities during term time, as well as before and after school and throughout the holidays.
Engaging in play fosters self-confidence and social skills in children while promoting their health and wellbeing.
OOSH programs are thoughtfully designed with children and are overseen by OOSH play specialist educators. OOSH creates rich and stimulating play environments, providing parents with peace of mind while they work, study, or attend to other commitments. Play is a crucial aspect of every child’s growth, playing a vital role in their overall well-being and joy.
These services also help children connect with their community, with each program offering a unique experience that fosters a sense of belonging.
The term OOSH, which stands for Out of School Hours, has its origins as a grassroots concept in New South Wales, dating back to the early 1980s. Traditionally, OOSH included a range of activities and services designed to create enriching creative play environments for children during the times they were not in school or at home.
Since January 1, 2012 OOSH Services in NSW have been included in the National Education and Care Services Regulation. All OOSH services are required to implement a program based on “My Time Our Place” – the Framework for School Age Care“.
OOSH providers offer different services to meet the needs of their community – be it Before School Care, After School Care, Vacation Care, or a combination of those services. Service fees and operating times will vary between services across NSW.
Most OOSH Services are registered and approved to receive Child Care Subsidy and Additional Child Care Subsidy, allowing them to subsidise parents’ fees.
OOSH services aim to provide safe, caring environments for school age children, which meets the needs of their families. OOSHs provide supervised care, play and recreation programs based on the interests, abilities and development of the children attending the service. The majority of OOSH Services operate from school sites, however there are a variety of Providers in different locations.
OOSH Service Providers Include:
- Management Committees (often called Parent Management Committees)
- P&Cs
- Local Councils
- Neighbourhood or Community Centres
- Statewide Charities
- Religious Organisations
- Small or Stand-Alone Private Providers
- Large Corporate Providers