Every weekday, thousands of Hunter families perform a carefully choreographed balancing act; school drop-offs, work deadlines, pick-ups, sport, homework, dinner. bedtime. For many families, there is one service that quietly helps make that balancing act possible yet rarely receives recognition: Out of School Hours (OOSH) care.
As we mark OOSH Educators Day, we recognise the educators who support children before school, after school and during Vacation Care. OOSH is often viewed as a practical convenience for families, but its role in the broader education and care system is much more significant. OOSH is an important part of the way many families manage work, school and care.
For parents and carers, access to high-quality OOSH is essential in supporting their participation in the workforce. It is also an important part of the school community, helping to strengthen connections and relationships through close partnership with children, families and schools.
Kelly Brannan’s children attend St Nicholas OOSH East Maitland. She says access to the service had made a significant difference to her family’s day-to-day life.
“Without access to OOSH, I would find meeting my work commitments challenging. OOSH takes the pressure off and creates calm for our family, knowing the children are cared for. I have witnessed the educators be a safe person for my children and hold the highest regard for them.”
OOSH is not just about being supervised before or after school. It can be a familiar and safe place where children build friendships, connect with trusted educators, play, rest, explore their interests and feel a sense of belonging.
While closely connected to the school day, the needs of children in OOSH are different from those in the classroom. After a full day at school, children do not necessarily need more structure. They may need time outdoors, time with friends, a quiet activity, a familiar routine, or the opportunity to make choices about how they spend their afternoon. That takes skill and judgement from educators. They are balancing safety, relationships, routines, children’s interests and the needs of a diverse group of school-aged children.
Desilee Howard is an educator at St Nicholas OOSH Rutherford. She says the role involved creating an environment where children with different needs, interests and energy levels could feel comfortable and included.
“We provide safe and inclusive spaces, including quiet areas, construction, kitchen experiences, craft and free choice, so children can play in a way that suits them. We also provide opportunities for children to further develop their learning through activities and experiences they may not otherwise have access to. We strive to build an understanding of the children’s needs, hobbies and interests, and create programs around that.”
The work of OOSH educators is often most visible to the families who rely on it every day, but less visible in broader conversations about education, care and workforce participation. When we talk about supporting working families, OOSH needs to be part of that conversation. It sits in the gap between school hours and working hours, and for many households that gap is where a lot of pressure sits.
For Ms Brannan, the impact of OOSH educators has been felt not only in practical support, but in the relationships formed with her children.
“The educators always provide my children with care and support. At times that has been co-regulation, and other times that has been someone to play with. I have witnessed the educators be a safe person for my children and hold the highest regard for them.”
OOSH Educators Day is an opportunity to recognise the educators who are there in the early mornings, in the afternoons when children may be tired, and during school holidays when families are often balancing work and care. They support children’s wellbeing, build relationships and create environments where children feel safe, included and known. Watching children build their skills and confidence is what makes this work meaningful.
OOSH helps children feel connected, gives families practical support, and contributes to the everyday functioning of communities. It may not always be the most visible part of the education and care system, but for many families it is essential.
Mel Hill is Director of St Nicholas.
