This template can be used in OSHC settings.

Exceeding Theme 1 focuses on practice being embedded in service operations and highlights that high-quality approaches are not occasional or dependent on individual staff—they are woven into the fabric of the service. This ensures consistency, sustainability, and a strong service identity that children, families, and educators can rely on. The following provides an overview of how Theme 1 can be demonstrated across Quality Areas 1–7 in OSHC settings.

Across OSHC services, educators and leaders are voicing the same challenge: how do we meet documentation requirements with limited staff without drowning in double-handling or excessive detail?

Music has always been a powerful tool in OSHC programs—whether it’s setting the tone for a calm morning or energising children after school. Many educators are exploring how to use music not just as background noise, but as a way to support regulation, inclusion, and child agency.

The following gives you 50+ boredom-busting activities across five themed days—Maker Monday, Challenge Tuesday, Creative Wednesday, Active Thursday, and Chill Friday. Each theme includes 10 low-prep, high-engagement ideas that respect older children’s growing identity and sense of autonomy.

Older children in OSHC often hit us with the classic line: “I’m bored.” But when asked what they’d like to do, the reply is just as familiar: “I don’t know.”

This isn’t laziness; it’s a developmental stage. They’re testing independence, craving novelty, and rejecting anything that feels “too little kid.” The challenge for educators is to offer activities that are low-prep, high-engagement, and feel authentically “big kid.”

Supporting children in OSHC with regulation techniques means creating safe, predictable environments and teaching strategies that help them manage emotions, behaviour, and social interactions. The most effective approaches combine self-regulation, co-regulation, and environmental adjustments tailored to children’s needs.

The My Time, Our Place (MTOP) Framework is designed for school-age care, with five outcomes that guide planning and reflection. Embedding it means linking everyday activities to these outcomes in ways that are intentional, inclusive, and meaningful. Here’s a clear breakdown with activity examples mapped to each outcome.

Transitions are one of the most vulnerable times in OSHC programs. Children move between spaces, activities, or staff supervision, and without structure, these moments can become chaotic. A structured line‑up system provides predictability, safety, and efficiency, ensuring every child is accounted for while fostering calm routines.