Outside school hours care services provide care mainly for primary school children before and/or after school and during vacation time. In some services, care is also provided on pupil-free days during the school term. Some services also provide vacation care or are linked to other vacation care services to provide care for primary school children all year.
Since 1 January 2001, other providers, including private providers, may operate an outside school hours care service. These services focus on stimulating developmental, social and recreational activities for children, while meeting the care requirements of families. They are usually set up in or close to primary schools.
They may also be situated in other locations such as community centres, halls, neighbourhood houses or recreation centres. Outside school hours and vacation care services are funded mainly for primary school children, but can assist children outside this age range in special or emergency situations.
The attendance of such children must be discussed with the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and reviewed on a regular basis. If there are vacancies, out-of-area children should be accepted, especially if the level of utilisation of the service is low. Transport to the service is the responsibility of the parent. The service must not restrict the attendance of primary school children in order to offer care to older or younger children.
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