Starting OHSC can be a BIG step.  Hopefully, this section answers all your questions.  If not then contact us.



Who are We?

St Kevin's OHSC is run by a group of parents from school.  We employ professional educators and run in line with all the regulations of the Australia Children's Educational and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and the regulations National Education and Care Regulations and Act and under the National Quality Frame Work for School Aged Children.  To read more about Who we are click here.



Who will Care for My Children?

Information on our quality educators can be found here.  Rest assured these professionals are all reference checked, hold Working With Children Checks, and are qualified to work at a children's service.

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What is a "Approved child care provider" and what does that mean to me?

St Kevin's OHSC is an approved child care provider.  This means we are registered with the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), and are able to offer Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebates to eligible families.  This area of law gets confusing and we HIGHLY RECOMMEND calling or visiting the Department of Human Services (DHS) to get advice or reviewing the information at www.mychild.gov.au.  To get you started, there are 2 types of rebates which are available to families utilising our service:

 

• Child Care Benefit - This is a benefit payable based on the families income

• Child Care Rebate - This is a rebate of 50% and is NOT INCOME TESTED.   To be eligible for this 50% rebate you need to meet the working/ studying/volunteering requirement.

You need to apply for both rebates through Department of Human Services (DHS) and these rebates at different intervals; it depends on how you nominate the rebates to be paid.  They can be upfront - which means you are invoiced only the difference between our scheduled fees and your rebate or they can be paid  later; where you are invoiced the full amount, you pay the full amount and the rebate is given at a latter date (once again nominated by you).



As the child care provider, we report weekly through to the government on who has attended to ensure you receive the correct rebates or benefits.  If you have any questions either visit the mychild web site or contact the treasurer.  



In essence what this means, is that once you have registered for child care benefit and/or rebate, rather than a usual session costing you $30, it only costs $15.  We must have your child/ren and the families CRN numbers in order for you to receive the rebate.  This is a "customer reference number" provided by Department of Human Services (DHS) when you are approved for your rebates or benefits.



How Do I Enrol 

There is a a process to follow found under How To Enrol.  Please remember to allow at least 48 hours for your enrolment to be processed

In summary to enrol you need to:

1. Complete the enrolment form (including the CRN mentioned above)

2. Obtain your immunisation records

3. Provide any medical plans or supporting documentation

4. Complete the eziebit form

5. Return all the forms back to the enrolment officer

6. Wait for them to contact you about your enrolment

Remember places are allocated on a "first in first served" basis, so to secure the day you would like, book early!

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What is Casual and Permanent?

We recommend everyone who attends school who thinks "one day or occasionally I may need after school care", to enrol.  Once enrolled, you do not have to book a "permanent" ie a regular booking at the service.  You can enrol as a casual member and then book on the days as you need them, this may be once a month or once per term, it's up to you.  But the benefit is you do not need to complete any forms again, you are all set up in our system and ready to book a 'casual' place.  Be aware that we have a limited number of children we can take, so on some days, you need to book early or regularly or else you will miss out on a place.  Also, casual bookings attract a higher rate than permanent bookings.  



What Are the Fees?

The fees vary depending on the length of time you need the service and whether you have a permenant or casual booking.  A permanent after school care booking for 2016 is $27, but fees are higher for an early school closure or a pupil free day.  There is no discount if you collect your child earlier than our finish time (6pm). Please see our fees schedule.  



The amount of Child care rebate or child care benefit you receive will also affect the final amount you are out of pocket.  



What do I do if my child has special needs?

It is very important that we understand any special needs your child has.  We want to give your child the best support and a great time at OHSC, so we need to know as much about your child as possible.  Our carers are fully trained in many medical conditions such as Asthma and Anaphylaxis and are familiar with intolerances and allergies.  They also hold their first aid qualifications.  



Essentially, the enrolment form details all the information we need for special needs.  You may have been asked to provide similar information if you have used child care or kindergarten before.  We need medical plans from your doctor if your child needs to take medication and we need the medication to be at the centre when your child is in attendance.



So for anaphylaxis, that means we must have an epipen or anapen at OHSC when your child is there, plus a medical emergency plan detailing what educators are to do in an emergency.



We like to know about any anxiety or dietary requirements too, as we can usually cater to most children's needs.



What Food Do You Provide?

We provide healthy snacks while at OHSC.  We avoid artificial colors and flavours and we do cooking usually once per week.  These are usually:

• brown bread sandwiches with toppings such as vegimite, jam, honey

• Butter 

• rice crackers (plain  no artificial colors)

• Rice cakes (gluten free, no artificial colors)

• Corn cakes (gluten free, no artificial colors)

• tin peaches and pears

• fresh seasonal fruit

• Water, milk and we sometimes do milk shakes

• For breakfast we provide toast and cereal 

We have gluten free alternatives most of time.  If you are concerned about any of the foods on offer, please request a copy of the menu, or take a look at a copy which is on the notice board at OHSC, where you sign out.

 

How does It All Work? 

The service operates following a regular routine, with some set activities, and some outside play.  Please see programs, for specific information on how after school care and other programs work. It contains information such as the hours of operation, where we operate from (the hall by the way!), the sorts of activities the children will partake in, what to bring (a smile!), how to collect your child, how to contact your children and more!



How and when do I pay?

Fees are invoiced fortnightly and the payments are direct debited from your nominated account, using the ezidebit system (remember the form we told you about earlier?).  The direct debit occurs a couple of days after the invoice arrives.  The invoiced amount will vary depending on what you have set up with The Department of Human Services, in relation to the Child care Rebate and Child Care Benefit.



What happens if I am Late to Pick up or if Someone else Needs To collect my Child/ren?

If you are running late we ask that you call us on the mobile to let us know.  We like to reassure children, as they notice when children start going home.  We have a procedure which sees fines issued for those who are habitually late.  We give one warning and then we charge our late collection fee.  Refer to Fees Schedule for the rate.



If someone else needs to collect your child, we need to know about it!  There is an area on the enrolment form where you list the people who are authorised to collect your child/ren.  If someone not on the list needs to collect your child, try and let us know before hand, but if you are unable to, you need to call the centre and let the educator know and email through the details of the person you are authorising to collect your child/ren.  They will be asked for photo identification, so please ask them to bring photo ID.  If there is any concern over releasing a child to someone (either someone they do not know, or someone who is not in a fit capacity to care for a child), the carers will NOT  allow the children to go with the person.  The children's safety is always the most important aspect of care.



Other Questions

You may have other questions. We are happy to answer them, simply contact us or you could also check out our frequently asked questions