As a working parent, particularly parents working outside of regular hours, picking up your child once they finish childcare or school for the day might not be an option for you. If they’re still too young to be left at home alone or you don’t feel comfortable leaving them unsupervised then out of school hours care (OOSH) might be the next best option.
We look at how out of school hours care costs stack up compared to other potential childcare options.
What is out of school hours care?
Out of school hours care, or OOSH for short, provides supervised care and recreation for primary school-aged children before and after school, as well as on pupil-free days. Out of school hours care usually operates from 6:30am until 9am before school and 3pm until 6pm after school.
While at out of school hours care, your little one can participate in a variety of recreational activities, from arts and crafts to reading and sports. And while most activities are organised in either small or large groups, children are also given the option to enjoy some quiet time alone if they choose. A similar service is also available during the school holidays, which is known as vacation care.
Out of school hours care is often delivered in a variety of different locations, including schools, youth centres, and community centres. It’s worth noting that even though an OOSH service operates from a primary school, enrolment at that school doesn’t necessarily guarantee your child a place at the OOSH service, so be sure to register your little one if you’ll be needing the service.
Just like other childcare services, out of school hours care regulations help to set a high benchmark for the education and care that these services offer. Most out of school hours care services are assessed in line with the National Quality Standard (NQS) and provided with a quality rating. As part of this, OOSH services must operate in accordance with the regulations set out by the Education and Care Services National Regulations (National Regulations).
Out of school hours care costs
When it comes to the cost of out of school hours care, each service provider has their own individual fee structure. With that said, you can expect to pay anywhere from $17.50 to $35 per session for before or after-school care plus an annual enrolment fee if applicable. Some providers also offer breakfast or afternoon tea as part of their service, making it a convenient option for many working parents.
It’s worth noting that most out of school hours care services are approved by the Australian Government, meaning they qualify for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). So, if you’re eligible to receive the CCS, you might be able to enjoy a reduction in out of school hours care costs.
Alternative options to out of school hours care
While out of school hours care is a great option for many working parents and their little ones, there may be some instances where it doesn’t work for your family. Whether the style of care isn’t right for your child or your local OOSH is fully booked, it can be helpful to know that there are other options available when it comes to before and after-school care.
Grandparent care
If you’re lucky enough to live close to you or your partner’s parents, then grandparent care may be an option for you. More often than not grandparents will jump at the chance to spend a bit of one-on-one time with their grandchildren.
So, as long as they’re physically and mentally up for the job, grandparent care can make an excellent alternative to OOSH. While all arrangements work differently, some grandparents may even be willing to care for your little ones free of charge, helping you to save on out of school hours care costs too.
Kid sharing
If grandparents aren’t an option for you, then it could be worth looking into a kid-sharing arrangement with your friends, neighbours or other family members nearby. This is a great option for parents that work part-time, particularly if they’re able to coordinate their workdays with one another.
In a nutshell, parents take turns throughout the week to provide before and after-school care for the kids. Although it can be difficult to coordinate, kid sharing can be a convenient and affordable option if you can make it work for you and the other families involved.
It's all about finding your parenting village.
Nanny sharing
While hiring a nanny might not strike you as the most cost-effective option for OOSH, a nanny sharing arrangement with another local family could provide more value for money than you imagined.
Nanny sharing arrangements can be organised to suit your family and its needs. Whether you’re just in need of a nanny before or after school or you’d like to use a nanny on days when your little one isn’t at their regular childcare, you can make nanny sharing work for you. And the best part is that sharing a nanny with another family also means that you share the cost too, with most families agreeing on splitting their usual hourly rate of $25-$35 50/50.
Au pair
If you have room in your home for another person, you might want to consider an au pair. Au pairs are usually young single people who have come from overseas to live in Australia with a local family while they learn English.
While they might not have childcare qualifications or much experience, they’re usually more than capable of helping to get the kids ready for school, doing the school drop-offs and pick-ups, preparing meals and helping with their homework after school.
Au pairs usually provide childcare services in exchange for board, food and a weekly allowance that usually works out at around $350 a week.
Babysitting
In some instances, you might be able to find a babysitter who’s able to provide before and after-school care for your little ones. From a local high-school student to a retiree looking to fill their day or a babysitter agency, there are plenty of options when it comes to babysitters.
Depending on the age and experience of a babysitter, they’ll usually set you back anywhere from $20 to $28 per hour.
Family day care
Family day care operators often provide OOSH care for primary school-age children. This can be a great option if they’ve got younger siblings who already attend the service. Plus, it can be convenient for you when it comes to the school drop off and pick up too.
Family day care fees depend on the individual provider, but you can usually expect to pay anywhere between $7.50-$16.80 per hour. And if your little one attends an approved provider, you might also be able to receive the CCS if you’re eligible.
Out of school hours care is an affordable and convenient option for many working parents. With that said, it’s useful knowing what other childcare options are available to you for before and after-school care.
Whether you’re looking for out of school hours care or alternative childcare options, you can use our childcare search tool to find the best childcare in your area.
