News

Increase of Measles in NSW

Network has been advised through Community Services that in recent months NSW Health has been notified of an increase in cases of measles in metropolitan and regional areas.

Community Services is working in conjunction with NSW Health to disseminate information about the increase, and the importance of vaccination to the operation of children’s services across NSW.

Key messages from NSW Health for providers and families can be downloaded here:

Measles and Childcare Parent Information (PDF) >>

Measles and Childcare Centre Director (PDF) >>

Local children’s services are being advised to contact their local Public Health Centres should they require further information – contact details can be found at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/Infectious/phus.asp

Department of Education Policy and Procedures released

After a long wait and many months of negotiation, the Department of Education has released their policy and procedures for the use of school facilities including OOSH.

The policy and procedures regarding the use of school facilities by OOSH have been approved by the Minister for Education Ms Verity Firth and are now posted on the DET website and intranet.

The document includes the new transparent system for the charging of fees. This system will be implemented across NSW and all services will be able to refer to the templates provided for the fee to be charged and the agreement they will be required to sign up to.

See: www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/administrative/facilities/comm_use/PD20090400.shtml?level=.

(The links are on the right hand side of the website)

added: 11/09/2009

BER and OSHC in the News

There has been further media coverage of the imapct of the Building Education Revolution (BER) on OSHC services located at schools. You can read the articles by clicking on the links below:

Primary students face holiday on street - The Australian, 11/09/09
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26056601-5013871,00.html

After-school care may be left home - The Australian, 10/09/09
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26052210-5013871,00.html

Please email any concerns you have about BER and your service to: network@netoosh.org.au

added: 11/09/2009