Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Services
Information on Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services including their benefits, where and when they operate and how they’re regulated.
What is OSHC?
OSHC includes before and after school care (BASC) and vacation care services. OSHC services provide education and care for primary school-age children (generally aged five to 12 years) outside school hours and during school vacations. Services are often open on pupil-free days as well.
Location
OSHC services are usually located on, or close to, primary schools. OSHC services are also often available in locations such as local community centres or recreation centres.
Hours
OSHC hours vary depending on community needs and school opening times. Generally, OSHC services operate on weekdays as:
- Before school care – 7am - 8.30am or school starting time
- After school care – 3pm - 6pm or from school finish time
- Vacation care (during school holidays) – 7am - 6pm
Benefits
OSHC services:
- support children’s learning achievement, engagement and wellbeing
- provide developmental play opportunities in a multi-age environment
- support families to work or study outside school hours
Regulation
OSHC services are monitored, regulated, assessed and rated by the NSW Department of Education. Read more about how we regulate services.
OSHC services are also required to apply the teaching principles outlined in the My Time, Our Place – a Framework for School Age Care in Australia.
Related information
- Before and After School Care (BASC) Commitment – how we’re providing more OSHC places in more schools
- Find a before and after school care provider
- Find vacation care providers