Out of Hours School Care

Toolamba OHSC

Last term we had our Assessment and Rating Visit. I am very pleased to say that we were found to be compliant in all areas. A special thank you to Toni-Marie and Sharon for all of their hard work. Their efforts were certainly appreciated. Our service was assessed against the Quality Standards. Each week I will share an area of the report commencing with: 

Quality Area 1 – Educational program and practice

Evidence for Standard 1.1

Curriculum decision making was informed by the approved learning frameworks, Early Years Learning Framework and My Time Our Place – Framework for School Age Care. Educators planned opportunities for children to relax and learn through play and leisure and incorporated children’s experiences, perspectives and knowledge into the program. Educators demonstrated that they knew each child’s strengths and interests. Children were provided with opportunities to contribute their ideas to current and future programs and initiated spontaneous play and leisure experiences emerging from their own ideas. Children were surveyed regularly to provide their input into the program, and their suggestions were incorporated into the program.

All aspects of the program were organised in ways to maximise the opportunities for each child’s learning and participation. Consistent routines were evident, and children were confident and settled moving into the service environment. Educators collaborated with children about routines and encouraged them to be self-reliant and independent. Children collected their own afternoon tea and managed their toileting and hygiene requirements independently.

Evidence for Standard 1.2

Educators were deliberate, purposeful and thoughtful in their decisions and actions. During afternoon tea, educators engaged with children by listening, showing interest, asking open-ended questions and encouraging conversation. The educators were intentional in the activities that were provided to children and provided instructional teaching during activities and routines, including extending the difficulty of Playsticks construction by using the instruction booklet.

Educators engaged in spontaneous teachable moments to enhance children’s play and scaffold their learning. Open-ended questions and suggestive problem-solving were evident in the interactions between the educators and children. An educator discussed the rules of a colour jumping game with a child and another educator discussed the questions to ask about cards they had selected in a game of Heads Up. Educators acknowledged children as capable and competent, enabling them to act autonomously. Children made choices and decisions about matters that affected them. Children selected the activities that they engaged with and initiated their play and interactions with others.

Evidence for Standard 1.3

Each child’s participation in the program was documented and the planning cycle was evident as part of an ongoing cycle of planning. Information was gathered in the form of observations, jottings and note taking and were linked to outcomes from the frameworks. Children were also participants in the planning process, providing incidental and documented ideas and requests to the educators. The educators engaged in informal and incidental reflections of the children’s program and daily documented reflections. The educators reflected on children’s interests and adjusted and expanded activities throughout the planning cycle to suit the needs of the children. This was evident in the provision of construction Playsticks that could be used by a wide range of children. The program was adapted as required to suit the needs of the children. Families were informed about the program. The program was displayed in window of the service. Educators had informal conversations with families about their children’s participation in the program.

Fun in OHSC

The children have been enjoying the activities planned by Sharon and Toni-Marie.

Before & After School Care 2021

Toni-Marie Arnold has taken on the role as Before & After School Care Coordinator. We are also very fortunate to have Sharon O’Connell working with Toni-Marie as well.

Any bookings for either, Before School Care or After School Care can be made by calling Toni-Marie on 0448 585 568.  There will now be only one phone number to call to make a booking.