From providing care to playing and learning, making a difference in the lives of students is why one Sydney man became an outside of school hours care educator.

Carlos Mirles moved to Australia from the United States five years ago and began working at Kids Capers OOSH at Wilkins Public School in Marrickville.

The Tempe dad says he is a ‘unicorn’ in the female-dominated industry of early childhood education and care and today, on National OOSH Educators Day, he is encouraging others to consider it a career.

“People don’t often see OOSH as a career path, but it is so rewarding,” he said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car paid tribute to the work of OOSH educators in supporting families with essential care and support when they need it.

“Our OOSH educators deliver quality care, learning, play and social experiences for our kids,” she said.

“They fill a critical gap in the daily life of so many families.

“Thank you for the contribution you make to our school communities day in and out.”

The annual National OOSH Educators Day is coordinated by the Network of Community Activities and the National Outside School Hours Services Alliance to celebrate the important role these educators play in the lives of children.

This year’s theme is ‘Limitless Possibilities’, highlighting innovative and creative approaches to learning, play and fun that make OOSH environments engaging and effective.

Mr Mirles is now the Director of the Kids Capers OOSH service in Marrickville and one of the first recipients of the NSW Department of Education’s VET Early Childhood Education and Care Scholarships for educators in the outside of school hours care sector.

Across New South Wales, thousands of parents and carers every day walk through the doors of an OOSH service with their children

There are 977 out of school hours care services located on public school grounds in NSW – around half are not for profit, while 7% are run by P&C associations.

Outside of school hours care (OSHC) services provide care, play and learning for primary school-age children before and after school, in school holidays and on pupil-free days. In NSW, these services are also known as out of school hours (OOSH) services.

The NSW Government is committed to improving the OOSH sector, including the extension of scholarships to current and aspiring educators to train and upskill.

“The scholarships encourage us to do more and take that leap of faith in what we are doing in our career,” Mr Mirles said. “It also incentivises people to stay in the job.”