Carlos’ career in OSHC makes transition to Australia easier

Outside school hours care (OSHC) educator Carlos Mirles moved to Australia from the United States five years ago and began working at Kids Capers out of school hours (OOSH) service at Wilkins Public School in Marrickville, New South Wales. 

While he sometimes feels like ‘a unicorn’ in a female dominated sector, Mr Mirles is encouraging other men to join the profession, and experience the joy which comes from providing care, playing and learning, and making a difference in the lives of children.

“People don’t often see OOSH as a career path, but it is so rewarding,” he said.

Mr Mirles is now the Director of Kids Capers OOSH and one of the first recipients of the NSW Department of Education’s VET Early Childhood Education and Care Scholarships for educators in the OSHC sector.

The NSW Government is committed to improving the OOSH sector, including the extension of scholarships to current and aspiring educators to train and upskill.

“The scholarships encourage us to do more and take that leap of faith in what we are doing in our career,” Mr Mirles said. “It also incentivises people to stay in the job.”

On OSHC Educators Day Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car paid tribute to the work of OSHC/OOSH educators in supporting families with essential care and support when they need it.

“Our OOSH educators deliver quality care, learning, play and social experiences for our kids,” she said. “They fill a critical gap in the daily life of so many families.”

There are 977 out of school hours care services located on public school grounds in NSW – around half are not for profit, while 7 per cent are run by P&C associations.

OSHC services provide care, play and learning for primary school-age children before and after school, in school holidays and on pupil-free days.