OSHC News
From the TheirCare Team
OSHC Enrolment 2024
The Jackson School Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Demonstration Program continues to grow, and it is great to see a huge interest in the program. However, the funding of the Department of Education and Training only permits a capped number of children to attend the program each day. The OSHC Enrolment is renewed on an annual basis, and all previous bookings do not carry over to the following year. This is done to ensure that we can provide the service to the entire school community and accommodate the increasing demand for the program.
We are having a considerable amount of interest in Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) bookings from both new and existing families. As we strive to create an environment of fairness and inclusivity for all, TheirCare is following the Australian Government's Priority of Access recommendations to ensure the program is equitable for and accessible to all families.
For your reference, the Priority of Access Guidelines can be accessed here:
Priority 1- a child at risk of serious abuse or neglect
Priority 2- a child of a single parent who satisfies, or of parents who both satisfy, the work, training, study test.
Priority 3- any other child
Adhering to the Priority of Access guidelines and considering the substantial number of enrolments, no student will qualify for five nights of outside school hours care in 2024. The allocation of your booking days will depend on your priority of access and the overall demand for the service each day.
Our After School Care operates on a permanent booking basis throughout the year. If the maximum allowable number of enrolments is reached, the service will not be able to accommodate casual or emergency bookings until a student leaves the program, creating a vacancy for new enrolment.
All final enrolment and booking decisions are made following the Priority of Access Guidelines and in consultation with Jackson School Well-being and Leadership Advisory Group. If all available places in the service are filled, those children who do not have a place will be added to a waiting list. Once a vacancy arises, the OSHC Management Team will contact the next person on the list.
Our afterschool service runs from 3pm to 6pm each day, for all booking enquiries please call 0476 006 755 or enquire at the school office.
OSHC Management Team
Outside School Hours Care Policies
Minimum Stay Policy:
To fully utilise your booking and ensure your child receives the complete benefits of our After School Care program, a minimum attendance of forty-five minutes (45mins), from 3:00pm to 3:45pm, is required. In cases where early pick-up is necessary, please consider utilising the parent pick-up or Student with Disabilities Transport bus service options. Two instances of early pick-up (including same-day cancellations after 12:00pm) within a one-week attendance period will result in the cancellation of your booking for the subsequent week, allowing waitlisted children an opportunity to attend. Continued instances of early pick-up may prompt a review and reconsideration of your child's enrolment and booking by our OSHC management team.
Late/Non-Collection of Children Policy:
All children must be collected by an authorised person at the end of each session. While we understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, we expect parents/carers to notify the OSHC Coordinator at least thirty minutes (30 mins) before the scheduled late pick-up time. Two instances of late collection (1 minute past closing time – 6:00pm) will lead to the cancellation of your booking for the following week, allowing waitlisted children an opportunity to attend. In the event of non-collection and/or unavailability of parents/carers twenty-five minutes (25 mins) past closing time, our OSHC Management Team will report the matter to the Department of Families Fairness and Housing after-hours emergency hotline and the Police. The authorised agencies may decide to collect the child/ren. We will continue to follow established policies and procedures to ensure their safety.
Cancellation and Absences Policy:
Our permanent booking policy operates on an annual basis. If a child withdraws from the service within the calendar year, the vacancy will automatically be offered to children on the waitlist.
Parents/Carers must notify the school OSHC Program Manager or the Service Coordinator of any changes to their child's booking. A 48-hour notice period is required for cancellations.
Behaviour Guidance Policy:
Management and guidance of children’s behaviours are the most important part of providing quality programs. In accordance with the Child Safe Standards and the Behaviour Support Flow Chart, if a child persistently displays serious inappropriate behaviour (including minor and major behaviours of concerns such as disruption/distraction, physical aggression, bullying, property damage/destruction) after appropriate behaviour guidance procedures have been followed, parents and carers will be notified to collect their child/ren from the service. Each child has the right to attend a TheirCare program, however in some situations where the child’s behaviour continues to compromise the safety and wellbeing of other children and staff may result in a suspension for 2 days. In situations where this behaviour continues after the suspension, this may then result in exclusion from the program as the last resort.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring the smooth operation of our OSHC program. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.