Most working parents know the struggle of trying to balance busy work schedules while ensuring their child is taken care of before and after school. That’s where outside school hours care or OSHC can come in handy. Whether you’re in need of a helping hand before school, after school or during the holidays, including pupil-free days, OSHC could provide the care you need so you can focus on your work.
Here’s what you need to know about OSHC.
What is outside school hours care (OSHC)?
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) providers offer supervised care and recreation for primary school-age children outside of regular school hours. This typically includes:
- Before (6:30am to 9:00am) and after (3:00pm to 6:00pm) school,
- On pupil-free days (7:00am to 6:00pm), and
- During school holidays (7:00am to 6:00pm), also known as vacation care.
OSHC services provide a safe, fun and engaging environment where kids can participate in activities like arts and crafts, sports, homework support and social play. These programs are often run by schools, community organisations or private providers. In some cases, they’re even eligible for government assistance, like the Childcare Subsidy (CCS), to help with costs.
Benefits of OSHC for children and parents
OSHC offers a number of key benefits for both parents and children. So, if you’re on the hunt for a little extra care outside of regular school hours, here are a few reasons why it makes a great option:
For kids:
- Social development: Kids get to interact with peers, make friends and develop important social skills in a relaxed, play-based setting.
- Structured fun and learning: Activities like arts and crafts, sports and group games encourage creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.
- Independence and confidence: Children learn to make choices, manage their time and develop a sense of responsibility.
- Homework support: Many OSHC programs offer dedicated time for homework, helping kids stay on track academically.
- Physical activity: Outdoor play and sports keep children active, promoting health and wellbeing.
For parents:
- Flexible and reliable care: Helps working parents by providing supervised care before and after school, reducing stress around drop-off and pick-up times.
- Peace of mind: Knowing their child is in a safe and engaging environment makes it easier for parents to focus on work or other commitments.
- Support during holidays: Vacation care ensures children have enriching experiences while parents manage work schedules over the break.
- Government subsidies: Many OSHC services qualify for the CCS, making them more affordable for eligible families.
In a nutshell, OSHC provides a safe and supportive environment for children to thrive while allowing parents to get back into work and balance family life.
How much does OSHC cost?
Like other childcare facilities, individual OSHC providers will often set their own fees. That said, you can expect to pay anywhere from $17.50 to $35 per session for before or after school care. You might also be charged an annual enrolment fee to secure a spot at the service.
In terms of vacation care, the cost often starts at around $60 per day. There can also be extra charges for excursions and special outings during holidays. When exploring the different OSHC options, it’s worth considering what’s included in the fees. Some providers include breakfast or afternoon tea in their service, offering a convenient solution for busy working parents.
But don’t forget—most OSHC services are government approved, meaning they qualify for the CCS. So, if you’re eligible for the CCS, you might also be able to enjoy reduced OSHC costs.
Alternatives to traditional OSHC
Like childcare, most OSHC services only offer limited positions, so if you’re keen to secure a spot during the school terms or over the holidays it’s important to get in early. That said, OSHC isn’t your only option if you’re after care for your little one outside of regular school hours.
Family day care
Family day care providers offer early childhood education and care services for children aged six weeks through to 12 years within the homes of the educators themselves. While family day care operators work within strict educator to child ratios, they can care for three school age children outside of school hours.
Nanny sharing
If you prefer the idea of your children being cared for at home before or after school, you might want to consider a nanny sharing arrangement. This involves splitting a nanny’s time (and cost!) with another family.
Grandparent or relative care
If you’re lucky enough to have a willing grandparent nearby, it could be worth checking to see whether they’d mind spending a few hours with their grandchild before or after school. Not only could this be a great cost saver, but it also provides another opportunity to strengthen family bonds.
How to choose the right OSHC service
When it comes to choosing the right OSHC service for you and your family, it’s important to take a few different factors into account, including:
- Location: How will my child travel between school and the OSHC service?
- Cost: What are the fees and what do they cover?
- Staff qualifications: What are the qualifications of the staff? What National Quality Standard (NQS) rating does the provider have?
- Availability: Are there positions available? How far ahead do I need to book?
Before signing your child up to an OSHC service, make sure you take the time to stop by for a quick visit to check that it meets your needs and expectations. This gives you an opportunity to see the staff in action while reviewing the facilities your child will have access to. Check out our blog on what to look for in an outside school hours care service for a little extra advice when choosing an OSHC provider.
Find an OSHC service near you
Ready to take the next step in finding an OSHC? At Care for Kids, we’ve made the search for the perfect childcare service easy with our childcare search tool. Simply select the before, after or vacation care option from the dropdown menu, enter your postcode or suburb and hit search to find services near you.
From here, you can compare services based on a range of criteria, including price, NQS rating and availability. You can even take a look at the reviews to see what other parents think.
Choosing the right OSHC is a key step in ensuring your child has a safe, engaging and supportive environment outside of school hours. Plus, it also means you’ll be better positioned to balance your work and family life.
