OOSH Factsheets

The OOSH Development team has created and regularly updates, a number of factsheets on a wide range of topics that we frequently receive calls on.

You can view them here on the website in PDF format or download them and print them for later use.

These factsheets belong to Network of Community Activities and are protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. Please follow these guidelines:
• You may retrieve the fact sheets for information only.
• You may save a local copy or send it to your printer for your own personal use.
• Any commercial use is expressly prohibited.

Please note that the factsheets are numbered in the order they were produced i.e. higher numbers are newer factsheets.

Management

#1 Contact List This Factsheet is currently under review. Please contact the OOSH Development worker at Network for information.
#5 Establishment This Factsheet is currently under review. Please contact the OOSH Development worker at Network for information.
#6 Fundraising Information on the legalities/practicalities and twenty fundraising ideas. (PDF format - 504KB)
#8a Management Committees This factsheet provides general information on the role of the management committee of an Outside School Hours Care Service. (PDF format - 820KB)
#8b Management Committees - Roles and Responsibilities This factsheet provides general information on the roles and responsibilities of the main office bearers for an Outside School Hours Care Management Committee. (PDF format - 292KB)
#8c Management Committee Meetings This factsheet provides general information about the types of meetings that the Management Committee of an Outside School Hours Care service would hold throughout the year. (PDF format - 272KB)
#9a OH&S - Overview This Factsheet provides an overview of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and the responsibilities of OOSH services in relation to OHS. (PDF format - 556KB)
#9b Risk Assessment and Management This Factsheet provides an overview of Risk Assessment and Management and the responsibilities of OOSH services in relation to this topic. (PDF format - 520KB)
#9c OH&S “Hot Spots” in OOSH This Factsheet provides an overview of areas (hot spots) that OOSH services need to consider in relation to Occupational Health and Safety. (PDF format - 300KB)
#11 Incorporation This Factsheet is currently under review. Please contact the OOSH Development worker at Network for information
#15 Publicity Discusses the need for publicity and ideas for raising awareness/ increasing attendance at the centre. (PDF format - 1MB)
#17 Venues This Factsheet is currently under review. Please contact the OOSH Development worker at Network for information.
#19 Orientations Gives ideas about welcoming new staff, families and committee members. (PDF format - 204KB)
#26 Employment of an OOSH Bookkeeper Why do OOSH centres need a book keeper? This factsheet outlines the tasks and responsibilities of the bookkeeper. (PDF format - 224KB)
#27 Policies for QA List the policies which fit under each of the 8 QA areas. Use in conjunction with the "Policies in Practice" manual. (PDF format - 756KB)
#28 Record Keeping A guide to the essential records that need to be kept by an OOSH service, and for how long. (PDF format - 300KB)
#29 Confidentiality Explains why confidentiality is important in OOSH and lists ways you can improve confidentiality. (PDF format - 148KB)
#30 Insurance in the OOSH Centre Explains the various kinds of insurance that are required when running an OOSH service. (PDF format - 340KB)
#33 Complaints/Grievances Procedures Provides steps for handling complaints/grievances within an OOSH Centre. Contains an example procedure for inclusion in family information packages. (PDF format - 260KB)
#34 Private Transport Options for BASC - Minibus This Factsheet is currently under review. Please contact the OOSH Development worker at Network for information.
#35 Welcome to Country You may wish to include a ‘Welcome to Country’ or an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ at the beginning of functions, ceremonies, events and meetings organised by your OOSH service. (PDF format - 164KB)
#41 Reports Matter An essential part of the OOSH Coordinator’s job is to report on the service’s progress to the Management Committee. (PDF format - 436KB)

Staff

#7 Job Descriptions Contains information on what a job description is and samples for Coordinators and Child Care Assistants. (PDF format - 268KB)
#16 Staff Supervision & Appraisal Introduction to the process and methods of supervisions and appraisal, with reasons and benefits of conducting them. (PDF format - 272KB)
#18 Volunteers Discusses the appropriate use of volunteers, how to manage them and insurance considerations. (PDF format - 204KB)
#20 Employment Offer and Contracts Making a job offer, letter of appointment, letter of rejection, employment contracts. Includes sample letters. (PDF format - 632KB)
#21 Reference Checks Takes you through the process of conducting reference checks on potential staff members. (PDF format - 292KB)
#22 Staff Handbook Explains how to put together a staff handbook and the important information that should be included. (PDF format - 544KB)
#25 Regional Networking The benefits of regional networking and issues involved in setting up a Network. (PDF format - 484KB)
#38 Staying Calm Explains how to stay calm when dealing with the situation of a dissatisfied or angry parent. (PDF format - 268KB)
#40 Staff Orientations How to conduct an effective orientation to make the employee feel like part of the team, understand goals and expectations to spark productivity and commitment. (PDF format - 1.1MB)

Family and Community

#3A Enrolment & Orientation This Factsheet provides basic information for OOSH services regarding the requirements for enrolling children into the service and providing an orientation process. (PDF format - 408KB)
#12 Family Handbooks A guide to family handbooks with suggested contents. (PDF format - 360KB)
#14 Family Involvement Discusses how to get families involved in the running of the centre or as helpers. Includes information on increasing NESB parent involvement and ideas for reaching out to parents. (PDF format - 260KB)
#23 Building Community Links About developing relationships, working together, promoting communication lines, sharing, co-operating and networking with others. (PDF format - 1MB)
#39 Hard Issues How to talk to parents about difficult issues regarding their children. (PDF format - 568KB)

Programming and Children

#4 Equipment Lists all the basic essential OOSH equipment and suppliers/ ideas for obtaining equipment. (PDF format - 200KB)
#10 Network Publications & QA Lists how and where Network publications relate directly to the quality areas and principles for Quality Assurance. (PDF format - 308KB)
#13 Programming This discusses the need for programming, what a good program contains and offers ideas and further resources. (PDF format - 300KB)
#24A Balanced Healthy Eating in OOSH Healthy eating is essential to maintaining good health. Healthy eating and physical activity help children grow, learn and build strong bones and muscles. As a caregiver, OOSH workers have a great opportunity to be a role model of positive behaviour and a healthy lifestyle. (PDF format - 692KB)
#24B Menu Planning This Factsheet provides general information on the benefits of planning the menus in an Outside School Hours Care Service. It includes suggestions for different types of foods to serve, as well as a guide to serving sizes. (PDF format - 928KB)
#31 Evaluation Discusses the importance of evaluation inn OOSH, including how and what could be evaluated. Includes steps for developing an action plan based on the evaluation responses. (PDF format - 236KB)
#32 Anaphylaxis Provides information about anaphylaxis and implications for OOSH services. Includes policy guidelines. (PDF format - 340KB)
#36 Preschool Age Children in OOSH Explanation of the regulations regarding OOSH care and preschool age children. (PDF format - 288KB)
#37 Preschool Age Children in Vacation Care How to include preschool age children in the Vacation Care service during the January school holidays. (PDF format - 340KB)