After School Care
Forest Street Primary School
FOREST STREET PRIMARY OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE (OSHC) has been operating since 1994, growing into a dynamic program, now catering for 30 primary school children per day in the gymnasium on the school site. The Centre is currently going through accreditation under the National Child Care Competency Standards by the Department of Education, Training and Employment's Standards and Licensing Department.
The Forest Street Primary Out of School Hours Care centre operates from the gymnasium, which is in the school grounds facing Forest Street, Wendouree. It offers After School Care and Vacation Care for the children of Forest Street Primary School and the local community.
Hours of
Operation
After School Care 3.15 pm - 6.00 pm
Pupil Free Day 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
Vacation Care 8.00 am – 6.00 pm
The Management
Committee
The Forest Street Primary Out of School Hours Care centre is managed by a School Council Committee, which comprises of parents of children attending the Centre, a representative from the School Council, a representative of the School Staff, and the OSHC Coordinator.
It encourages the parents of children attending the Centre to be active participants in the consultative process, which enables them to be a part of the decision making process which impacts on the level of service to which they and their children have access. Every attempt is made to ensure that adequate information regarding all activities and any other information relevant is passed on to parents via the parent notice board, the pouches or verbally.
Staff
The School Council employs the staff of the centre. The staff are experienced in the provision of care and recreation activities for children. The Coordinator is responsible for overall conduct of the centre and is the person with whom parents should communicate regarding any matters affecting their children.
Enrolment
Parents who wish to enrol their children must sign an Enrolment Form. These are available at the school office or the gymnasium. Children need only enrol once each year for After School Care and Vacation Care. It is the responsibility of parents to provide the Coordinator with 24 hours notice of both enrolment and non-attendance of their children. Where notice is not given of non-attendance, a fee will be charged. Enrolments have risen steadily since the Programme began and places in our program are limited to 30 per night. It cannot be assumed that immediate enrolment, particularly for occasional care, will always be available.
Activities
The centre’s activities are designed to meet
the interests of children aged 5-12 years. After school
activities are
less structured to allow the children to 'wind down' after the school day.
Children are
offered the opportunity to participate in leisure and
recreation activities (eg. art, craft, games, dancing, sport, cooking, drama) in
a ‘homelike’ atmosphere. Nutritious snacks are provided
daily. Vacation programs
are varied and include all day excursions, half day excursions, sports, music,
dancing, drama, arts, crafts, etc.
The fees are increased by the Management Committee from time to time as required to properly fund the Programme. Policies relating to outstanding debts and late fees are available.
The current fees, as determined by the
Management Committee, are:
ACCOUNTS
Accounts are issued for After School Care and Pupil Free Days on a weekly basis. Accounts are usually available on the Monday immediately after the end of the accounting period. However, due to unforeseen circumstances accounts may sometimes be available later than this. Receipts and other correspondence are also distributed via the pouches/gymnasium. Payments must be made at the school office or the gymnasium. Vacation Care programs must be paid for when booking in and is non refundable.
CHILD CARE BENEFIT
The Commonwealth Government offers assistance to reduce the cost of care for families. All families are entitled to the minimum 16.8%. Please contact the Family Assistance Office in Centerlink on 136 150 so that your eligibility to receive Child Care Benefit can be assessed. We require a letter stating your percentage before we can give you a reduction in fees. Please see the Coordinator if you require further information or assistance with applications.
ENROLLING YOUR CHILD
AND BOOKINGS
An enrolment form MUST be completed by parents/guardians before a child can attend the Forest Street Primary Out of School Hours Care Centre. It is essential to make a booking for your child to attend. Phone 53392110 and leave a message if the Centre is unattended.
Cancellations for After School Care must be received by 10.00am the day of the booking, or the session fee will apply. Cancellations of bookings for Pupil Free Days must be received one week prior to the booking or the session fee will apply. Cancellations for Vacation Care are non refundable.
VISION STATEMENT
Our vision for Forest Street Primary Out of School Hours Care, is to provide a dynamic and financially sound childcare service. We provide an environment where children with differing social styles and levels of skill can feel comfortable and develop confidence in their social interactions. We support children in developing the confidence to seek new challenges and offer experiences to meet individual child's needs.
PURPOSE AND
AIMS
Our purpose is to provide convenient, cost
effective, child care to assist parents who require child care support
d 
uring out of school hours.
Our Aim
Our Centre’s aim is to
provide an environment that will foster each child’s sense of self worth,
nurture positive group relationships and foster cooperative and collaborative
behaviour.
COLLECTION OF
CHILDREN
For safety and security, children will only be released to authorised adults as named on the enrolment forms. Children must be signed out by their parent, or other authorised person, before they leave the Out of School Hours Care. Children must be collected by 6.00pm. If, because of an emergency situation, you are late, then please notify the Centre as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Late fees apply after 6.00pm. Written permission is required to allow a child to leave the OSHC without an authorised adult.
Handbooks available from After School Care.
