More than 1200
OSCAR providers offer before/after school and holiday programmes, based in schools & other community venues.
Out of School
but a child’s exploration and learning doesn’t stop just because the school bell has gone. In out of school time, children need choices, a sense of freedom and the chance to participate and connect with others in their own way, in their own time.
Child safety
and staff requirements for OSCAR are covered under the Social Services Accreditation Standards.
Starting up
It can seem like there is a lot to do when you’re getting an OSCAR service up and running. But expert advice is not far away.
This is OSCAR
A five-minute overview of the OSCAR sector, its main characteristics and the key agencies involved.
After school programmes
are often based in schools and aim to help children transition out of their busy school day with flexible and responsive programmes that cater for their needs and interests. Children may be enrolled in after school programmes because their parents are working or in training, or simply because of the activities that are on offer.
A place for children to be themselves
Most OSCAR programmes revolve around child-directed play and fun group activities, rather than further schooling. Children are encouraged to have a go and there will often be time to simply hang out and unwind.
Belonging to an OSCAR group helps children learn valuable social skills and the importance of helping others.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31:
”Every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreation”
5-13 years is the age for most OSCAR participants. For those just starting school, after school care can be a bit overwhelming at first and they need rest and reassurance
Older children want some separation and a chance to do their own thing. There are much fewer 10-13 year old participants in OSCAR, but quality out of school time is just as important for them
School holidays
are a time for re-charging and resting but also exciting when there are new experiences on the horizon and friends to share them with.
Holiday programmes can offer all of this, within a safe, well-supervised environment. Over the course of a week there will be a variety of activities, but also down-time allowing children to participate at the level and pace that suits them.
The Ministry of Social Development
has the primary role within Government for OSCAR, which has evolved from policies aimed at supporting parents to participate in employment and training.
OSCAR Fee Subsidy is available through Work and Income to help with parent fees and OSCAR Operating Grants are provided to almost 800 programmes.
The OSCAR sector is made up of all kinds of organisations – small sole traders, schools, churches, charitable trusts, private companies, franchises and local government bodies
OSCAR services do not affiliate under a single governing body and mostly they operate quite independently of each other. However some do collaborate for support, advice and professional development through membership of The Out of School Care Network (OSCN)
A unique profession
OSCAR staff come from a wide range of backgrounds and stages of life. Staff do not have to hold formal qualifications but OSCAR providers are required to carefully screen applicants before employment and then provide training ‘on-the-job’ as they learn about their role: facilitator, listener, coach, instructor and mediator.
The OSCAR sector is still growing and while many communities have some access to after school care, either based in the school or nearby, there can still be a lack of services outside of urban areas or in communities where there are low levels of employment
Maintaining accessible and affordable services is a huge challenge. MSD OSCAR Grants provide some assistance but OSCAR providers need more government support
Get in
Touch
with OSCAR programmes,
OSCAR sector advisory bodies
or government agencies
Establishing
a programme
Useful advice and information to help at the early stages of setting up an after school or school holiday programme
Accreditation
for OSCAR
Information on the Social Services Accreditation process and contacts
for further assistance