WORKING parents of children attending St Mary’s Primary School and Swan Hill North Primary School can finish work worry-free knowing that their children are cared for at St Mary’s OSHC program.
Principal of the school Kate Quin said St Mary’s was the only local primary school to run a before-school and an after-school and vacation program in Swan Hill.
“It started with only two students in late 2021 and it quickly expanded,” Ms Quin said.
“Now, it employs over 20 part-time educators and its own admin team.”
The OSHC morning program has grown in popularity for working parents who have an early start to their day.
With the emphasis on providing a calm and nurturing environment, children arrive from 7am and are warmly greeted by the team, who offer breakfast and engage them in different activities before they go to class at 8.30am.
“With children seamlessly moving from class to the OSHC, St Mary’s parents love the convenience and the fact it is open until 6 pm each day,” Ms Quin said.
At 2 Murlong Street After School Care is extremely popular with the children who attend as they can participate in a wide range of activities.
The program has everything from cooking classes to basketball clinics and Lego challenges, as well as gaga ball and artwork on the go, making the afternoon sessions fun and engaging.
“The children love the OSHC service and have taken real ownership of the OSHC space, and educators value their input when planning the weekly programming and activities,” Ms Quin said.
Parents can also enroll their children in the vacation program during school holidays, which families have described as a lifesaver as it runs every day from 8am to 5.30pm each school holidays.
Ms Quin said amazing staff, happy children, convenience and affordability were familiar phrases that parents used when sharing their feedback with us about the service at St Mary’s.
“The program is helping not only families but our wider community,” she said.
“The OSHC service fees are heavily subsidised by the government, making it a very affordable option for families, and has allowed many parents who have no other childcare options to return to the workforce.”
Ms Quin added that pre-schoolers who had enrolled at St Mary’s could also access the program in the Christmas holidays before starting Foundation in January.
“Not only is OSHC a big help to working parents, it is a wonderful way to build confidence and make the transition from preschool to primary school seamless,” she said.
For more information about enrolling at 2 Murlong St After School Care, call the program’s friendly staff on 50332541 today.
