Blackfriars OSHC provides a safe and healthy environment for school-aged children from Blackfriars and St Dominic’s Priory College who require Before School, After School or Vacation Care.
We conduct a fun and balanced activity program which encourages all children to participate. Our qualified and supportive staff promote the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social development of each child and are committed to supporting families within our community.
We are convenient and cost effective to support families outside of school hours and during school holidays.
We acknowledge diversity of culture, individuals, identity and families. Therefore, it is important that we maintain standards in line with the National Quality Framework for School Aged Care. Our planning and programming is developed in consultation with the children and is centred on the importance of play and experiences that develop life skills for all. We promote a nurturing environment where children are happy and secure through the development of positive relationships between OSHC Staff, children and their families.
Access for children to the OSHC Service is non-discriminatory. Individuals are treated with respect regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, impairment or disability, medical condition, marital status, pregnancy, sexuality, political conviction, family responsibility or family status.
Objectives
We ensure our service is safe, stimulating and caring for the children that we attend by providing:
- Appropriate supervision and duty of care for all children
- Relaxing and comfortable surroundings
- A range of challenging, rewarding, relaxing and alternative activities for the children.
We encourage communication and social interaction with peers, staff and families by:
- Promoting group activities while recognizing individual needs of the children in our care
- Encouraging responsible behaviour of all children
- Encouraging children to listen and respect the opinions and feelings of others (their peers, the staff and families that use the service)
- Encouraging children to respect the values and cultural differences of others.
We ensure our service is affordable, accessible and addresses the needs of all families in the community by:
- Encouraging all parents/guardians who utilize the service to participate or volunteer in the service
- Respecting all families’ rights to have
- Input in the decision making of the service
- Endeavouring to make responsible decisions about income, expenditure and quality practices
- Being accountable and open in all management, financial and administrative matters.
We employ appropriately qualified and skilled staff that demonstrate:
- A caring and supportive manner in their interactions with the children and families
- Their ability to develop exciting and stimulating age appropriate activities
- A professional approach in continually developing their professional skills.
OSHC sessions
We offer families the following sessions:
- Before School Care – 7.30am to 8.30am
- After School Care – 3.05pm to 6pm
- Vacation Care (Holiday Program) – 8am to 6pm
Care may also be provided on days where Blackfriars is due to finish early. Care is not provided on public holidays.
A late collection fee of $20 plus $1 per minute per child is charged if collecting your child/children after 6pm.
Attendance
Before School Care Sessions
- All children must be booked into the OSHC Service if they wish to attend Before School Care (refer to the Access to the Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Service Policy).
- On arrival, all children must be signed in by a parent/guardian.
- At 8.30am, children attending Blackfriars will be signed out by the OSHC Staff member and handed over to the teacher on yard duty.
- When children first begin school, parents/guardians may arrange for the OSHC Staff member to take the child to their classroom.
After School Care and Early Finish Sessions
- All children and families requiring care for their children in the After School Care program must book their child into the OSHC Service (refer to the Access to the Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Service Policy).
- All children will be signed in by an OSHC Staff member.
- All children will be collected and signed out by a parent/guardian or approved person.
Vacation Care and School Closure Day Sessions
- All children must be booked into the OSHC Service if they wish to attend (refer to the Access to the Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Service Policy).
- On arrival, all children must be signed in by a parent/guardian.
- All children will be collected and signed out by a parent/guardian or approved person.
Bookings and cancellations
Parents/guardians must complete a ‘Booking Sheet’ at the start of each term to confirm that their booking is still required. Casual bookings for OSHC can be made by contacting the OSHC Director either by phone or email.
When a booking for Before School Care is no longer required, cancellation must be made by 4pm the day before or the session fee will be charged.
When a booking for After School Care or Partial Closure Days is no longer required, notification must be made in writing (either by text or email) by noon on the day before care is required or the session fee will be charged. This includes cancellation due to illness.
Vacation Care – In case of cancellation, full fee will be charged.
The Child Care Subsidy enables the OSHC Service to offer reduced fees to families. Families must have a MyGov account. Please contact Centrelink for more information.
Program
Our weekly programs are on display and we encourage input and suggestions from both families and children.
Children are regularly given opportunities to provide feedback and suggestions on the program. We feel this is an important aspect of planning, as it allows staff to better understand what the children are enjoying when they attend the service.
During Vacation Care, we offer incursions and excursions.
Food
Children are provided with a healthy snack in After School and Vacation Care.
Homework
Children are able to start their homework while they are attending After School Care. This is undertaken under the supervision of our staff.
Parent participation
We welcome parent and carer participation at our OSHC Service. If you would like to volunteer your time and assist staff with excursions, then please discuss this with the OSHC Director.
OSHC policies
Policies are available to view at the service. For copies, please speak with the Director.
- Access to the Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Service Policy
- Policy on Fees and Financial Management in OSHC
- OSHC Children’s Program Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- OSHC Personal Responsibility Policy
- OSHC Grievance Policy
- OSHC Leadership and Management Policy
- OSHC Management Committee Policy
- OSHC Privacy Policy