Out of school hours care (OSHC) is a time and place where children engage in a range of play and leisure experiences that allow them to feel happy, safe and relaxed, interact with friends, practice social skills, solve problems, try new activities and learn life skills. OSHC run two sessions. Before school session (7am to 9am) and after school session (3pm to 6pm).
OSHC educators collaborate with children to provide play and leisure opportunities that are meaningful to children and support their wellbeing, learning and development. OSHC educators pay attention to the needs and interests of individual children within a context that promotes collaboration and active citizenship. Children in school-age care settings like OSHC have choice and control over their learning as they collaborate with OSHC educators to extend their life skills and develop dispositions towards citizenship.
Marrickville West OSHC is managed by the Inner West Council and provides care for up to 90 children each session.
Waitlist
Inner West Council's Children and family services maintain a centralised waiting list for families seeking childcare places in a council managed OSHC service. There are many more families seeking a childcare place than places available in the council's centres. All families seeking a childcare place at a council OSHC service must complete a waiting list form.
Waitlist applications
Please contact Stephen Crimston at stephen.crimston@innerwest.nsw.gov.au if you need to make an application.
OSHC staff
OSHC is co-ordinated by a dedicated group of permanent employees who are supported by casual workers when required. All staff are committed to working with children to enhance their well-being while being in their care. Educators have first aid training and have 'working with children checks' and completed child protection training.
OSHC session
Morning
Children are provided breakfast at the centre from 7 to 8:30am. This regularly consists of toast and spreads or cereal. Picklets and crumpets are offered twice a week. During the session, children are able to participate in free play and/or an organised craft activity. At 8am outdoor play is offered until pack up time, roll call and going to school. The Kindergarten children are escorted to the kindy triangle by an educator.
Afternoon
Once the children arrive for the afternoon and roll call is completed, the children are offered afternoon tea. Children then have an opportunity to partake in structured or unstructured activities, either inside or outside where they are actively supervised. Around 5pm, we come together to clean up and start settling down for quieter activities. The session finishes at 6pm.
Some activities we do include:
- painting
- drawing
- board games
- outdoor sport
- cooking
- sewing
- gardening
- play dough
- construction
- cultural celebrations
- numerous art and craft activities.
We also complete longer-term projects throughout the term focussing on a specific topic, such as The Cooks River and our environment.
OSHC offers two types of care:
- ‘Permanent care' are sessions that are regular and consistent, example your child attends every Wednesday and Friday. There is a two weeks written notice policy to change permanent arrangements.
- ‘Casual care' are sessions that are irregular and inconsistent. The service is given up to a week's notice about a family requesting casual care. Casual care can only be offered if there are spaces available.
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact the centre on 02 9392 5603. You are very welcome to come and visit us at the centre after 3pm. There is also a notice board outside the OSHC room with information about centre, fees, contacts, and so on.