About Harbord OOSH
The Harbord Public School OOSH Centre (HOOSH) is managed by a Committee of parents and school community members. The Committee is a sub-committee of the Harbord Public School Parents & Citizens Association (P&C).
The Centre currently caters for up to 300 children. Due to the high numbers and to ensure individual attention, we divide the centre into four main groups with smaller sub groups in each year:
- BKs – Room leaders: Ryan and Nicole - BK is a group of our year 5 and 6 kids who participate in the general program and also have a wide variety of age appropriate and exciting activities to be a part of. Group Supervisors are Courtney and Sharri.
- SENIORS– Room leaders: Jarrah, Nason and Elliot - The seniors are our Year 3 and 4 kids. The Year 3s are broken up into Sharks and Stingrays, and the Year 4s are split into BullaBullas and Dingos. In the mornings, they join the BKs in the BK Room. Group supervisors are Courtney and Sharri.
- JUNIORS – Room leaders: Nicole, Remi, Dakota and Pete - This group is our Year 1 and 2 kids. The Year 1s are sub divided into Pelicans and Penguins while the Year 2s are split into Sharks and Stingrays. Group Supervisor is Kim.
- KINDIES – Room Leaders: Mason, Kelly, Chloe and Tara - This group are our little ones, the Kindy kids who are then broken up into smaller groups of Koalas and Frogs for smaller group care. Group Supervisor is Tanya.
The Centre is run as a service for families in the local community and is intended to be a non-profit, non-loss operation.
The Centre provides adequate ratios as per government regulations with the guide of 1 staff member to 15 kids for incentre, 1:8 for excursions & 1:5 for swimming.
The Centre is open for Before and After School Care, Monday to Friday for 41 weeks coinciding with the school year. We are open for vacation care during the school holidays running three separate programs to meet the needs of all the age groups.
- Before School Care operates from 6.30am-9.00 am.
- After School Care operates from 3.00pm-6.30 pm.
- Vacation Care and Pupil Free Days 7.30am-6pm.
The Centre closes for three weeks over Christmas and one day per holiday period.
Staff and children develop a weekly/daily program with a variety of options and is displayed at the Centre.
The program will reflect the My Time Our Place Framework and the Centre philosophy.
As part of providing a home like environment, television is a regular part of the Before School Care program only. During the afternoon sessions TV viewing is limited to special occasions, extreme weather
conditions or at the discretion of the Centre Co-ordinator/Assistant Co-ordinator. Cartoons and 'G' rated programs are allowed, in accordance with copyright. HOOSH has a committee pre-approved list of PG movies.
The Centre aims to promote healthy eating by providing nutritional food. A Breakfast snack is provided at Before School Care and is packed up at 8.15am. Afternoon tea is provided by the Centre at After School Care. We display and email our weekly menu showing a wide variety of nutritious and tasty snacks. If the afternoon is not sufficient, children may bring extra nutritious food from home. Staff must be made aware of food allergies. All children should carry a ‘pop top’ drink bottle in their bag. Water coolers are available for the children to fill their water bottles. If a ‘pop top’ bottle is not supplied the child may ask for a cup or use the school water bubblers. Meal times at OOSH are an option only.
The Centre staff consists of:
- Director - Kara
- 4 Assistant Directors - Tanya, Kate, Kim, Ashley.
- Permanent Assistants
- Casual Assistants
- Junior Assistants (under 18 - no supervision responsibility)
- Centre Cooks
Nominated Supervisor and First Aid Officer – Kara
Educational Leader - Ryan
Certified Supervisors and First Aid Officers – Kara, Kim, Ryan, Kate, Tanya, Ashley, Jarrah
Workplace Health and Safety Officers – See Staff photo board
All centre employees are responsible for the safety and well being of the children in care.
