Introduction

Vacation care centres aim to provide safe, caring environments for school age children during school holiday periods, which meet the needs of working and non-working parents who require support in child rearing or with child care. Vacation Care services provide supervised care and recreation programs based on the interests, abilities and development of the children attending the service. These services are run by a variety of sponsors including:

• Parent committees
• Local councils
• Neighbourhood centre
• Statewide organizations such as YMCAs and YWCAs and Police Citizens's Youth Club
• Church organizations

Many of these sponsors run a variety of children's services including Before and After School Care. Others only run Vacation Care Programs.

New Services

If you are interested in starting a Vacation Care Service in your area and need guidance with the appropriate steps to take contact Network of Community Activities for further information.

Network has produced a useful resource kit for management committees, local councils and staff who are establishing a new service - "Vacation Care and Resource Training Kit".  See the publications section of this website for more details.

Support for Existing Vacation Care Services