After-school care fills gap provides 'very valuable assistance' for families

Orange has a variety of care options including school-based after-school care, and care provided at early learning centres such as The Willows Preschool and Early Learning Centre, which provides care for children who went there before they started school or who have a younger sibling at the centre.

Taj Knight, 6, is among the students who will spend time at the centre before and after school.

“I usually just stay in the morning and then one of the teachers goes with me to the bus,” Taj said.

After school he returns to the centre where he plays with his sister and reads his home readers, helps prepare afternoon tea and looks after the centre’s chickens.

Orange City Council runs Orange Out of School Hours care for children aged from five to 12 at Calare Public School and at Orange Public School.

Orange City Council Services Committee chairman Ron Gander says the council has operated before and after school care for many years. 

“It’s run by fully-qualified and experienced staff. The program is based around the age and interests of the children. Depending on the hours that parents work, this service can deliver very valuable assistance,” he said.

Kinross Wolaroi School’s preparatory school also offers after-school care for students aged from five to 12, co-ordinated by UnitingCare Children’s Services.

“We’ve found more and more that families have both parents working and we found that offering an afternoon school option is of real benefit to our families,” Kinross Wolaroi School principal Brian Kennelly said.

Students can attend the services provided at Calare Public School from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm and on holidays and pupil free days from 7.30am to 6pm or at Orange Public School from 3pm to 6pm. 

For more information about Out of School Hours Care visit the Community Information and Services Centre at 79 Kite Street, or phone 6393 8600.

tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au