Northern Rivers Outside School Hours Care provides a quality environment for school-aged children in our services.
Northern Rivers Outside School Hours Care provides:
After School Care at Bangalow, Bexhill, Clunes, Dunoon, Goonellabah and Lismore Heights Public Schools.
Before School Care is also available at Bangalow, Bexhill, Dunoon, Goonellabah and Lismore Heights Public Schools.
Bangalow, Bexhill, Clunes, Goonellabah and Lismore Heights also provide Vacation Care.
October 2024 Holiday Programs:
You can download the OSHC Information Booklet Here
Food & Nutrition
Snack times are seen as a social event where children and staff can relax, talk about their day and experience a variety of foods. Staff will demonstrate and encourage healthy and hygienic eating habits at all times. All food will be stored in a hygienic manner. At After School Care children are expected to bring their own nutritious snacks.
At Vacation Care children are expected to bring their own nutritious snacks and lunch. Food may also be prepared and served as part of an activity. Drinking water is provided at all times. Food sensitivities, allergies, religious & cultural considerations, and health needs of the child must be discussed between the staff and the parent. A written plan may be needed. Religious and cultural festivals offer the opportunity for experiencing diversity through the sharing of food. Children are encouraged to accept and value differences.
Illness, Accident & Emergency
NRCS cannot enrol a child unless a parent has given written authorisation for the scheme to seek urgent medical, dental or hospital treatment or ambulance service, in the event that such action is deemed to be necessary by the coordinator. If safe, the Coordinator will first attempt to call a parent before arranging emergency medical care. Otherwise, a parent will be contacted immediately after emergency medical care has been arranged.
Any associated medical or transportation costs will be paid by the child’s parent.
Medications
A Medication Permission Authority must be signed by the parent (daily) prior to a Coordinator administering any medication required by a child is in care. This applies to prescription and non-prescription medications (including herbal remedies).
Exclusion of sick children from childcare is an important way of limiting the spread of infection in childcare. Families are encouraged to consider in advance what arrangements need to be made in the event that their children become sick and cannot attend care.
Appropriate exclusion of sick children, in conjunction with effective hygiene procedures, will reduce cross infection. It is in everyone’s interest to abide by recommended exclusion periods. Children with infectious diseases will be excluded from OSHC in accordance with the National Health & Medical Research Council’s Guidelines.
Health & Safety
Northern Rivers OSHC observes health and hygiene practices that reflect best-practice standards, and are in accordance with relevant government guidelines, in order to minimise risks to children, and encourage children to learn these practices.
OSHC Coordinators cannot care for a child unless he/she is in good health and free from any medical condition or dependency on medication that may affect the child’s capacity to participate in the program without a risk to other children or adults. Children enrolled in OSHC are not required to be immunised.
Before School and After School Care
- Bangalow: 7.00 am to school start, school end to 6.00 pm
- Bexhill: 6.30am to school start, school end to 6.00pm
- Clunes: school end to 6.00pm
- Dunoon: 7.00am to school start, school end to 6.00pm – operating Mondays to Wednesdays.
- Goonellabah: 7.00 am to 9.00am, 3.00pm to 6.00 pm
- Lismore Heights: 7.00am to school start, school end to 6.00 pm
Permanent bookings may be made weekly or fortnightly.
Casual bookings need to be made ASAP to ensure staffing ratio’s are met. Bookings can be made on any day if the child has been previously enrolled. These bookings need to be made to the Coordinator. Children without an enrolment form cannot be accepted in the service for legal reasons. See below for contact details.
Enrolment for the OSHC services are completed through Harmony Web. Please contact the service coordinator via phone or email for instructions to enrol. Families are welcome to visit and staff will provide information and show you and your child around the service to provide an orientation to support a smooth transition.
Vacation Care (8.00 am to 6.00 pm)
Programs will be made available in the weeks preceding each holiday period.
Advance bookings are essential. If there are more bookings than available places then priority will be given as per government guidelines.
Once a permanent booking is made, fees will be charged for those days, including for any absences. One week notice of change of bookings is required. See below for contact details.
For further information please contact the relevant coordinator below:
Accounts
Caitlin Nicholls
Phone: 02 6621 6437
Office hours: Monday – Friday
8.30 am – 4.30 pm
Lismore Heights OSHC
(OSHC Coordinator) at Lismore Heights Public School
Dorothy Jordan
Phone: 0437 553 057
OSHC Director
Paula Zanuso
Phone: 02 6621 6437
Office hours: Tuesday – Friday
8.30 am – 4.30 pm
OSHC Support Co-ordinator
Ellissa Keating-Lowe
Phone: 02 6621 6437
Office hours: Monday – Thursday
8.30 am – 4.30 pm