OSHCare - Sharing the Caring

Opening our schools during non-traditional school hours provides a critical resource to meet the growing need for children to have access to safe and productive activities during the hours outside of the school day. All Catholic Education OSHCare services are licensed child care services, registered with the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) for Quality Assurance.
Our approach to school age child care is that of collaboration; a partnership between parents, school and the OSHCare service. The school Principal, as service manager, establishes a distinct unity between our schools and the OSHCare service, as the schools and after school programmes can learn from and strengthen each other.

Services Provided

Outside School Hours Care is offered by many, but not all schools in the Cairns Diocese. Varying combinations of Before, After, and Vacation care are offered by those schools offering OSHCare. A full list of services provided by schools, and their contact numbers, can be viewed on the OSHCare Service Listing. Hours of operation may vary slightly from service to service, depending on the needs of the school community, but are generally as follows:

About Our Services

• Our OSHCare programmes connect learning to more relaxed and enriching activities, thereby improving academic performance as well.
• The structure of an after-school programme can make homework part of students’ daily routine. This can contribute to children in after-school programmes completing more and better-prepared homework because of their participation.
• In an environment where individualism and self expression is encouraged, conflicts amongst peers is to be expected. These differences of opinion are recognized as learning opportunities and dedicated Oschare staff are on hand to assist children to develop better social skills and learn to handle conflicts in socially acceptable ways.
• Programmes can provide the opportunity for youth to gain self-confidence through development of caring relationships with adults and peers.
• Successful governance structure combines hands-on, site-based management with regular oversight and accountability.
• In order to sustain a quality programme, staff are provided with ongoing training and learning opportunities.
• After-school programmes provide a nutritious snack and other meals when appropriate, for relaxation and socializing and to promote sound nutrition for participants.
• Quality programmes allow children to follow their own interests and learn in different ways. Programming reflects the needs, interests, and abilities of children.
• A continuity of learning for students is provided through coordination with the regular school day and communication with teachers and staff.
• Effective after-school programmes have a continuous evaluation component built into the design so that programme planners can objectively gauge their success based on the clear goals set for the programme.

Staff

As service managers, School Principals (in consultation with the OSHCare Committees) employ skilled and qualified staff experienced in working with school-aged children. In order to sustain a quality programme, staff are provided with ongoing training and learning opportunities. One of the major distinctions between in-school and out-of-school time approaches to learning is the emphasis OSHCare places on social and Emotional wellbeing. Social and Emotional Learning seminars are presented to ALL OSHCare personnel on an ongoing regular basis.

Childcare Benefit

The Commonwealth Government provides a Childcare Benefit to parents utilising OSHCare services. All parents are eligible for Childcare Benefit whether it is through reduced fees or claiming through their taxation return at the end of the financial year. Parents wishing to have reduced fees need to contact the Family Assistance Office (FAO) on telephone 136150. Customer Reference Numbers (CRN) for all services are listed on the OSHCare Service Listing.

Fees

Fees are set at a service level; please contact your chosen service for current pricing. Our objective is to keep all OSHCare services fees at a level affordable to the community it serves. As a not-for-profit administered service, all monies remain within the school community.

Bookings

Bookings are essential as places are limited in all services. Please phone your chosen service provider or refer to that provider’s Parent handbook regarding payment of fees and booking requirements.

Contact Numbers

For general enquiries regarding Outside School Hours Care, phone your chosen Service Provider, or contact the Catholic Education Services OSHCare Project Officer, Irene Goodrich:

Phone: (07) 4050 9739
Fax: (07) 4051 2859
Email: ireneg@ceo.cairns.catholic.edu.au

OSHCare Service Listing