ECEC Provider in Focus: Extend OSHC

Extend is Australia’s largest family owned and operated Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) provider and has been operating since 2002. 

 

What is the history of Extend OSHC?

 

Extend OSHC was established in 2002, and now offers before and after school care and vacation care programs in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and Queensland, with a head office in Docklands, Melbourne. 

 

Across its network Extend educates and cares for over 20,000 children, employs more than 350 staff, and has 110 partner schools. 

 

What is the Extend vision and approach to learning? 

 

Working in line with expectations and requirements from the Framework for School Aged Care, Extend tailors sessions to each school community, and aims to develop children through science, cooking, sport and imaginative play. 

 

Children’s interests and ideas are used to drive the development of programs, and Extend operates on a device free zone system, with the exception of devices needed to complete homework. 

 

Nutritious food and opportunities for active play are emphasised in the program. 

 

Are there any unique aspects to the Extend offer? 

 

Extend aims to create the next generation of mindful and compassionate leaders through a social justice program known as Extend-a-Hand. 

 

The initiative sees the provider choose an important cause annually, with children, families and the wider school community encouraged to support and raise funds and awareness. 

 

Previous recipients include: 

 

• The Pyjama Foundation
• Drought Relief
• Share Kindness Project
• Meals on Wheels
• Red Cross Blood Donation
• Birdlife Australia

 

What is the Extend approach to educators’ identity and development? 

 

Extend OSHC offers a number of programs to support the professional development and growth of its team members, including: 

 

• Networking opportunities
• Workshops
• Mentoring 
• Formal training
• Internal promotion 

 

Other incentives and benefits include: 

 

• Uniforms
• First aid
• Split shift allowances 
• Performance based awards
• Social opportunities

 

Learn more about Extend OSHC here.