ECA releases free PD courses for NSW OSHC educators and leaders

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) is delivering a collection of free online professional learning resources designed specifically to meet the unique needs of the New South Wales Department of Education’s Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Quality Development Program (QDP).

The OSHC QDP is a targeted program funded by the NSW Department of Education and is designed to support quality improvement in the OSHC sector. The program focuses on building the knowledge and capability of educators and service leaders in OSHC services operating under the National Quality Framework (NQF).

In the October 2018 NQF Snapshot, ACECQA stated that 27 per cent of NSW OSHC services were rated as ‘Working Towards’, while 48 per cent of services were rated ‘Meeting’, and 16 per cent as ‘Exceeding’.

In a statement on its website, the NSW Department of Education said “OSHC services have a unique approved learning framework and operating environment. Targeted support catering to these unique needs can help ensure the highest possible quality of care is delivered and maintained for the long term.”

“Ongoing quality development is important for delivering quality outcomes for children attending OSHC services. High-quality OSHC services will result in a reduction in incidents and a safer environment for children.”

The online learning program  is freely accessible to all educators and services leaders working in OSHC settings across NSW, and includes online interactive learning modules, webinars, video vignettes and other freely available resources.

This professional learning resource is delivered by the ECA Learning Hub. The ECA Learning Hub is designed to help educators gain a thorough and practical understanding of standards, frameworks and research about quality practice.

In developing the OSHC QDP professional learning program, the ECA Learning Hub worked closely with a number of OSHC experts as well as out of school hours care services.