Thank you for choosing St Nicholas OOSH for your child’s out-of-school-hours care. We are delighted to welcome you to our community and look forward to partnering with you to provide the best possible experience for your child.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
St Nicholas would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we learn, play, and work – the Awabakal, Biripi, Wiradjuri, Wonnarua, and Worimi people.
We pay respect to elders, who hold deep knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and thank them for sharing their traditions, customs, and memories. In the spirit of recognition and reconciliation, we acknowledge the importance of connecting with our true history, acknowledging the past, and uniting for a better future.
St Nicholas OOSH provides high-quality out-ofschool hours care for children aged 5-12 in safe, supportive, and engaging environments. Our services reflect the St Nicholas vision – to enable every child in our care to grow and flourish.
With a network of services across the Newcastle and Hunter regions, we offer Before School Care, After School Care, and Vacation Care, all delivered by dedicated educators who are passionate about nurturing each child’s interests and potential.
This family handbook is designed to give you a clear overview of how St Nicholas OOSH operates and what you can expect from your experience with us.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s care – we look forward to supporting their growth, development, and joy each day.
Warm regards,
The St Nicholas OOSH Team
OUR STORY
What is St Nicholas?
We are a community in which children and young people develop the cultural, physical, and educational skills to belong in a contemporary world. Collectively, St Nicholas provides education services spanning early education, out-of-schoolhours care, and vocational education.
Why are we called St Nicholas?
The origins of St Nicholas recognise the kindness, generosity, and care of a man who led a life advocating for children and vulnerable people. St Nicholas’ work enabled children to lead happier, more fulfilling lives through his connection, compassion, and care. St Nicholas became associated with the act of giving at Christmas time, and nowadays is more commonly referred to as Santa Claus. We have acknowledged St Nicholas’ commitment to children’s needs by honouring his legacy through the provision of quality education and care for all.
The meaning behind our logo
The St Nicholas OOSH logo features two paint splashes and a paper plane. Together, these three elements represent the Holy Trinity—a central teaching of the Catholic Church—and reflect the faith-based values that guide our services. The paint splashes also highlight the creativity, self-expression, and individuality of each child, while the paper plane symbolises imagination, exploration, and the endless possibilities that come with learning through play.
Prayer
God of life and love, send down your blessing on this St Nicholas OOSH service and all who come here: team members, children, families, and carers.
Under the patronage of St Nicholas, who was known for his gift-giving, may this community be blessed with an abundance of your gifts.
And may these gifts from God be shared generously with all who come here.
Amen.
Vision
Our vision is to support ‘families as the first school of the social virtues that every society needs’*.
Our vision goes beyond education and care for the individual. We want to have a positive impact by creating inclusive environments where every child is supported in their moral, social, intellectual and physical development.
*Gavissimum Education n3.
Values
Mission
St Nicholas is a welcoming and safe environment for children.
We believe in supporting and partnering with families and communities to nurture and inspire children as they develop the skills to flourish at home, in care, and in society.
Purpose
Our ‘Why?’ is the driving force behind everything we do, uniting us with a shared commitment: ‘We believe in supporting communities to flourish.’
Philosophy
Founded in key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, namely human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, stewardship and social justice, St Nicholas partners with families and communities to enrich the education, development and wellbeing of children enrolled in its services. At St Nicholas, we recognise families as children’s first, and most influential teachers. Therefore, our educators respect the diversity of background and uniqueness of each child and their family, and value strong partnerships with families.
As an organisation dedicated to the support and development of communities, St Nicholas identifies the importance of incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and is committed to reconciliation. Our educational programs embed the rich cultural traditions, languages and arts of our First Nation’s people and build upon local, regional, and national cultural knowledge.
Our services enable children to become active and informed contributors to their world through community connections. By actively participating within communities, children explore more complex concepts that are relevant to their lives and surrounding environments. As a result, children can develop understandings of their role and responsibilities as an active member of their community.
St Nicholas offers a welcoming environment, where children have opportunities to explore, discover, and reflect upon their learning. We recognise children as being active agents in their own learning journeys and build their confidence as learners through respectful relationships, intentional teaching, and inspiring learning environments. By providing child-led, play-based programs tailored to the needs of the individual child, we create an inclusive environment where children feel a sense of belonging.
At St Nicholas, we are committed to upholding a child-safe culture where every child is protected,
respected, and empowered. Embedding child safety into everyday practices, policies, and relationships, ensures children’s rights to protection, participation, and agency are fostered. Through ongoing professional development, clear and transparent reporting processes, and strong collaboration with families and communities, we demonstrate a shared commitment to safeguarding children and nurturing a culture of safety, trust, and accountability.
Learning is a lifelong journey, and St Nicholas is committed to the education and professional development of our team. We offer teachers and educators a variety of pathways to continue
their own learning through formal qualifications, professional learning, and networking opportunities. St Nicholas has dedicated specialists who support service teams to reflect upon, plan and develop their knowledge and practice to continually enhance the offering of our services.
At St Nicholas, we recognise our responsibility to positively influence sustainability and are committed to increasing awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals. All our services are operated with GreenPower – 100% clean renewable energy. Additionally, our ongoing commitment to sustainability is evident in the educational program where children learn about protecting, preserving, and improving our world, to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
By actively promoting the values of Compassion, Integrity, Justice, Participation and Hope, St Nicholas provides a positive environment to foster and celebrate lifelong learning.
History
St Nicholas Early Education was established in 2015 by the Catholic Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle, driven by a desire to support and partner with families. In early 2016, two early education centres opened – one in central Newcastle and the other in Singleton – marking the beginning of our commitment to delivering high-quality early childhood education and care.
Following strong community support, St Nicholas expanded its network of Early Education centres, continuing to provide trusted, reliable care for families across the region.
In 2018, St Nicholas OOSH (Out of School Hours) was launched to extend our support to primary school children and their families. This service offers quality education and care before and after school, as well as during school holidays.
Recognising the growing need for dedicated, qualified early childhood professionals, St Nicholas Pathways was established in 2019. Pathways provides practical training and meaningful career opportunities for school-based students and others interested in joining the early childhood education and care sector.
Looking ahead, St Nicholas remains committed to walking alongside families and communities –supporting, nurturing, and inspiring children and young people as they develop the skills to thrive at home, at school, and in life. From the early years and into the future, St Nicholas is with you every step of the way.
OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Curriculum
St Nicholas educators plan and implement a play and leisure program, which is responsive to children and enables both intentionality and spontaneity in learning and play. Our team members develop the program in partnership with children – focusing on identity, connectedness, wellbeing, learning, and communication – and are guided by the national My Time, Our Place framework.
National Quality Framework (NQF)
St Nicholas OOSH’s curriculum complies with the National Quality Framework (NQF), which comprises of the the National Law and Regulations, National Quality Standard (NQS), Approved Learning Frameworks – the My Time, Our Place Framework for School Age Care – and Assessment and Rating process.
Learn more about the National Quality Framework
My Time, Our Place (MTOP)
St Nicholas OOSH embraces the My Time, Our Place Framework for School Age Care, which focuses on enriching children’s learning experiences in the school-age years. This framework recognises the importance of leisure and play in supporting children’s development while fostering their sense of agency and belonging.
By providing engaging, flexible, and childcentred programs, we ensure that every child in our care has the opportunity to explore their interests, build friendships, and grow in confidence, all while feeling safe, supported, and valued.
Learn more about the My Time, Our Place Framework for School Age Care
Play-based learning
At St Nicholas OOSH, we believe that play is essential to children’s development, and wellbeing. Our programs are built around play-based experiences that encourage creativity, curiosity, and a sense of fun.
Through play, children explore new ideas, build friendships, and develop important life skills in a relaxed, child-led environment. Educators support this by creating engaging spaces, offering a variety of materials, and planning experiences that reflect children’s interests and developmental stages.
The benefits of play-based experiences at OOSH include:
• Building confidence and independence
• Strengthening social and emotional skills
• Encouraging creative and imaginative thinking
• Supporting physical development through active play
• Providing opportunities to problem-solve and collaborate.
Our educators guide and support children’s learning through:
• Creating environments with diverse resources for play and exploration
• Offering open-ended activities that promote creativity and choice
• Encouraging social interaction and teamwork
• Responding to children’s interests with flexible, engaging experiences.
• At OOSH, play isn’t just something children do –it’s how they grow, connect, and flourish.
Before and After School Care
Our Before and After School Care programs are designed to support busy families by providing a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for children outside of regular school hours. Whether your child joins us in the morning before school or in the afternoon after their school day ends, our team of experienced educators is committed to creating a space where they feel welcomed, supported, and inspired.
Each session includes a variety of age-appropriate experiences tailored to children’s interests and developmental needs. Morning sessions offer a calm and positive start to the day, including breakfast, quiet play, and school-readiness activities. Afternoon sessions provide a chance to relax, enjoy a healthy snack, and take part in a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences that foster creativity, connection, and exploration.
We work closely with each school community to ensure smooth transitions between school and care, and our team is always available to support families with any questions or concerns. At St Nicholas OOSH, we are proud to provide quality out-of-school hours care that helps children thrive – and gives families peace of mind.
Vacation Care
Our Vacation Care program runs during school holidays and pupil-free days, offering a fun, safe, and enriching environment for children aged 5-12 years. With a new program released each holiday period, our services offer a dynamic mix of day camps, in-service experiences, and excursions.
Each day is thoughtfully planned by our educators to reflect children’s interests and developmental needs, with a focus on creativity, confidence, and connection. From cooking challenges and science experiments to animal shows and visits to local attractions, no two days are the same.
Families have the flexibility to book only the days that suit them, with extended hours and a commitment to play-based learning. Our goal is to make every school holiday a time for discovery, adventure, and meaningful social connection.
Learn more about our Transition to School program
How to make a booking
Detailed instructions on how to make a vacation care booking with St Nicholas OOSH.
View our programs
Day Camps are themed in-service days led by our educators, designed to immerse children in fun, handson experiences without leaving the centre. Popular day camps include science discovery days, construction challenges, cooking classes, sports carnivals, and arts and crafts festivals.
In-Service Experiences bring the excitement to us, with special guests visiting the service to run interactive and educational sessions. Examples include wildlife shows, magic performances, cultural dance workshops, LEGO robotics sessions, and drumming circles.
Excursions take children offsite to explore the local community and enjoy new experiences in a safe and supervised environment. Children might visit the zoo, cinema, local museums, indoor play centres, or nature reserves – depending on the program and service location.
Our environments
At St Nicholas OOSH, we are committed to creating environments where children feel safe, welcome, and inspired to play, relax, and connect with others.
Our spaces are designed to support a wide range of recreational and creative experiences, both indoors and outdoors. Whether children are winding down after school, being active with friends, or diving into a new interest, our environments are set up to meet their needs.
We ensure our environments are:
• Safe, clean, and well-maintained
• Purposefully arranged to support a variety of play and leisure experiences
• Inclusive and welcoming to all children
• Well-resourced with engaging materials and equipment
• Respectful of the environment, encouraging sustainable practices.
Sustainability
At St Nicholas OOSH, we are committed to promoting a healthy, sustainable environment for children, families, and our wider community. Through everyday practices and play-based experiences, we help children build an awareness of the natural world around them and the importance of caring for it.
Our commitment to sustainability includes:
Renewable energy – All St Nicholas services, including OOSH, have been powered by 100% renewable energy since July 2023.
Everyday eco-awareness – We encourage sustainable practices like recycling, conserving water, and reusing materials as part of daily routines.
Waste reduction – Our services implement practical strategies to reduce waste, such as composting and, wherever possible, using recyclable resources in craft and play.
Natural materials – Wherever possible, we use natural and repurposed materials in our activities to support creativity and reduce environmental impact.
Green spaces – Our services provide access to outdoor areas and encourage nature-based play and learning.
Read our Sustainability Plan
OUR PEOPLE
Working together as one
Our team is made up of educators with a variety of experience and qualifications in school-aged education and care, from those beginning their career to highly experienced professionals.
All St Nicholas team members complete child protection training and hold a current Working with Children Check (WWCC). Where required, staff also possess first aid, anaphylaxis, and asthma management qualifications.
Our vocational education arm, St Nicholas Pathways, supports all St Nicholas educators to build fulfilling careers in early childhood education and care through high-quality, practical training that fosters professional growth, builds meaningful connections, and equips learners with the skills to flourish in a dynamic and rewarding sector.
Learn more about St Nicholas Pathways
FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
Communication with families
We value strong partnerships with families and aim to keep you informed and engaged throughout your time with us. Key updates, including service notices, booking information, and Vacation Care programs, are shared via email and our parent app.
Our educators are always available for a quick chat during drop-off and pick-up times, and we encourage open communication to support your child’s experience at OOSH.
Family feedback
Your feedback helps us improve our services and better meet the needs of children and families. We regularly invite families to share their thoughts through surveys, informal chats, and through our app. Whether it’s a suggestion, concern, or compliment, we welcome your voice.
The Complaint Process
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO RAISE CONCERNS WITH YOUR PRIMARY CONTACT AT THE AGENCY OR THEIR MANAGER. IF POSSIBLE, THEY WILL SEEK TO RESOLVE ANY ISSUES AT FIRST CONTACT
How to make a complaint
1. PREPARE THE COMPLAINT
Consider what happened, where and when, witnesses, relevant documents, options for resolution.
2. CONTACT THE AGENCY
Talk with someone at St Nicholas you feel comfortable with, in person, by phone, email or online. Any complaint alleging a serious incident or a breach of the National Law has occurred will be reported to the regulatory authority.
3.
WORK WITH ST NICHOLAS TO RESOLVE YOUR CONCERNS
A person will be allocated to work with you to find a satisfactory solution and resolve the complaint effectively, efficiently and as quickly as possible.
Review Options
4. CONTACT THE DIOCESAN COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT SERVICE
If you are unable to reach a resolution, the Diocese can offer support to you and the agency.
5.
INTERNAL REVIEW (OUTSIDE ST NICHOLAS)
If options for resolution at St Nicholas have been exhausted, the Diocese will work to close the complaint by agreement or Administrative Review.
6.
EXTERNAL REVIEW
You are expected to progress through the Diocesan complaints process before you engage any external review options. However, external review options include NSW Ombudsman, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission or independent legal advice.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
St Nicholas OOSH offers a safe environment that supports the health and wellbeing of all children, families, and team members.
Medical care and safety
At St Nicholas OOSH, the health, safety, and wellbeing of every child in our care are our highest priorities. We are committed to providing a secure and nurturing environment supported by professional medical and safety practices.
To view St Nicholas’ policies and procedures regarding:
• Managing illness
• Asthma and anaphylaxis
• Medication
• Immunisation
• Emergencies
• Incidents and injury
• Rest and sleep
• Sun safety.
Scan to learn more
Food and nutrition
At St Nicholas OOSH, we know that nutritious food helps fuel children’s energy, concentration, and overall wellbeing –especially before and after a busy school day. Our team provides children with healthy and satisfying food options during Before and After School Care sessions.
Children attending Before School Care are offered a light breakfast to start their day, while those in After School Care are provided with afternoon tea. Menus are designed to align with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the principles of the Munch & Move program, supporting balanced choices and promoting healthy eating habits.
We are committed to catering for children with cultural, medical, or dietary requirements, and work closely with families to ensure these needs are respected.
Download our sample menu
Child safeguarding
St Nicholas is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of all children, families and staff in our community.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
As an agency of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, St Nicholas is committed to:
• Fostering communities of safeguarding, including open and respectful communication about issues of safeguarding with individuals, families and groups
• Upholding the dignity and rights of all children and vulnerable adults and seeks to empower them to have their voices heard
• Training all relevant personnel in safeguarding knowledge and skills including indicators of abuse, supporting people to disclose abuse and reporting abuse
• Working closely with statutory authorities to report alleged abuse and support them to investigate those allegations
• Developing our risk assessment and management systems for all diocesan activities and personnel
• Developing the breadth and depth of our auditing and compliance regimes
• Implementing and maintaining compliance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.
Office of Safeguarding
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and St Nicholas have an abiding commitment to promote the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of children and vulnerable persons.
The Office of Safeguarding is an integral part of the Diocese and St Nicholas, and is placed outside the Diocese’s services, programs and parishes, overseeing their safeguarding standards in operation.
The Office of Safeguarding works with NSW Police, the Office of the Children’s Guardian, the Department of Community and Justice, and other statutory authorities and specialist authorities within the Catholic Church in Australia to fulfil its responsibilities and maximise the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons.
The Office of Safeguarding supports the Diocese to promote and uphold the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as an institution of the Catholic Church in Australia.
Learn more about the Office of Safeguarding
ENROLMENT AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
Getting started
How to enrol and stay connected
For instructions on how to enrol your child with St Nicholas OOSH and to download our parent app for bookings, updates, and daily communications, visit our ‘How to enrol’ page.
Eligibility
Children are eligible to attend St Nicholas OOSH from the beginning of the year they turn five and are enrolled in school.
To enrol your child at St Nicholas OOSH, the following are required:
A completed online enrolment form and direct debit authorisation submitted via the parent app
A copy of your child’s immunisation history statement
A copy of your child’s birth certificate (original must be sighted by the service)
Current contact information for parents/guardians and emergency contacts
Any relevant court or custody orders (if applicable)
Information regarding your child’s additional needs, including medical conditions, health or developmental requirements.
Where applications exceed available places, children will be placed on a waiting list in line with our priority of access guidelines.
Checklist
Please ensure your child brings the following items each day:
Wide-brimmed hat
Enclosed shoes
Refillable drink bottle
Jumper or jacket
Morning tea and lunch (Vacation Care only)
Spare set of clothes (Vacation Care only)
Delivery and collection of children
St Nicholas OOSH is committed to ensuring the safe arrival and collection of children. St Nicholas will only allow collection of children by an Approved Person detailed in the child’s enrolment form.
St Nicholas will provide instructions on how to sign children in and out of care upon enrolment.
Opening hours and public holidays
St Nicholas OOSH services operate on school days and during school holiday periods, with extended hours to support working families. We are closed on weekends and public holidays.
Opening hours and operational periods vary between services and may change depending on demand. For the most up-to-date information about your local St Nicholas OOSH service, including Before School Care, After School Care and Vacation Care availability, please refer to our website.
Absences and cancellation
For casual and Vacation Care bookings, we have a 5-day cancellation policy, after which the parent/ carer will be liable for their full fees for that session. For permanent bookings, we have a 2-week cancellation policy.
One-off cancellations for permanent bookings still require the parent/carer to pay their full fees for that session, unless the cancellation is permanent, in which case the family will forfeit their permanent place for that session.
For more information about delivery and collection of children, or absences and cancellations, view St Nicholas’ policies and procedures.
Fees and inclusions
St Nicholas OOSH fees may vary. For full details of your service’s fees, please refer to our website.
Included in the cost of care:
• Breakfast and afternoon tea
• Play and learning materials
• Dedicated homework spaces.
View St Nicholas’ fee and finance policies and procedures
Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government payment available to families to help cover up to 90% of the costs of childcare. The subsidy is paid directly to your child care provider to reduce the amount of out-of-pocket fees that you pay. Your out-of-pocket costs depend on how much CCS you are entitled to, depending on your family’s individual situation.
Below is a general guide:
• Families earning less than $80,000 annually may receive up to 90% of childcare fees.
• Subsidies gradually decrease for families earning more, with a cut-off threshold for households earning above $530,000 annually.
• The number of subsidised hours depends on your family’s activity levels.
To estimate your subsidy, you can use the Child Care Subsidy Calculator available on the Services Australia website. This tool provides a quick and accurate estimate tailored to your family’s circumstances.
Learn about the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements available to St Nicholas families
“By coming to OOSH, my children are able to make memories that will last a lifetime.” – Nicole, Parent
– ST NICHOLAS OOSH CARDIFF
“All of my children are interested in very different things and St Nicholas OOSH caters to those varied interests.” – Josh, Parent –
ST NICHOLAS OOSH MAITLAND
“Whenever I pick my daughter up from OOSH, she always has a huge smile on her face, which is super comforting as a parent”
– Elizabeth, Parent
– ST NICHOLAS OOSH BRANXTON
“The social skills our children are learning by coming to OOSH has really set them up for success.”
– Anjelica, Parent
“The experiences my children get to have at Vacation Care are amazing – every day is like a new adventure.”
– Kristie, Parent – ST NICHOLAS OOSH NEW LAMBTON
“It makes us feel at ease being able to work to provide for our family knowing that our son is with qualified and talented professionals.”
– Andrew, Parent
– ST NICHOLAS OOSH FORSTER
– ST NICHOLAS OOSH GLENDALE stnicks.org.au
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PARTNERSHIPS
St Nicholas Early Education
St Nicholas Early Education is our valued partner in providing high-quality early learning across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. While St Nicholas OOSH operates independently of early education services, we share a common commitment to supporting children and families across all stages of early childhood and school-aged care.
Many families first connect with us through St Nicholas Early Education before transitioning to school and accessing OOSH services. Together, we offer a consistent and trusted experience that supports each child’s wellbeing, development, and sense of belonging.
Catholic Schools
All St Nicholas OOSH services operate onsite at Catholic primary schools within the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. This strong connection supports a seamless transition between school and care, offering convenience for families and continuity for children throughout their day.
Catholic Schools in our Diocese have a proud 180-year history of providing high-quality education in safe, inclusive, and faith-filled environments. With more than 21,000 students enrolled across primary, secondary, and K-12 schools, Catholic Schools continue to nurture the academic, spiritual, physical, and emotional growth of every student.
