Out of School Care and Recreation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The field of Out of School Care and Recreation, often abbreviated as OSCAR, provides forms of childcare to children whose school days do not coincide with the working hours of their parents or guardians: before/after school and/or during school holidays. Often based in or near schools, it provides supervision and recreational/educational facilities.

Most OSCAR programmes have a community base; some operate as private profit-making ventures.

Increasingly Out of School Hours Care programs are seen as important vehicles for promoting healthy child development by engaging children in physical activities and by linking children with other community organisations and clubs.

In Australia Outside School Hours Care is part of the national Quality Assurance system which ensures that all services are engaged in continuous improvement.