New name, new logo, new CEO
Cutting cake, clockwise from left. Peter Heaslip (Chairperson of The OSCAR Foundation board), Sandy Thompson (Former CEO
of NAOSCAR), Murray Upton (CEO of The OSCAR Foundation)and Ciar Smythe (NAOSCAR child).
The National Association for Out of School Care and Recreation (N.A.O.S.C.A.R) an umbrella organization which looks
after over 60,000 school aged children, changed its name to The O.S.C.A.R Foundation at the weekend.
Providers for the nations O.S.C.A.R (Out of School Care and Recreation) programs were informed of the changes at the
annual conference held at Waipuna on Friday the 14th.
With the recent government push for both parents to work, The O.S.C.A.R Foundation fulfils a crucial role in the
community by advising and supporting providers of before school, after school and holiday programs throughout NZ.
The new CEO of The O.S.C.A.R Foundation, Murray Upton says: “More and more, children need care after school hours. Our
foundation is all about enriching childhood and making sure kids have a safe, secure and fun environment when they are
not at home or school.”
Mr Upton has been calling for a name change since he was appointed as the new CEO at the beginning of the year and is
happy that the name change has now been embraced.
“The new name and logo reflects what we do much better. The word foundation has so many connotations that we think are
important. Foundation means cornerstone, being first at something, providing support and being able to shape the
structure. These are all things The O.S.C.A.R Foundation is part of,” says Mr. Upton.
The O.S.C.A.R Foundation is primarily government funded and offers support and advice for providers of out of school
care. This includes before and after school care as well as holiday programs for children ages five to 14 years old.
Mr. Upton says: “We have evolved from a well regarded community organisation to a professional service provider. The
name change reflects that.”
The foundation also celebrated its tenth anniversary at the conference.
“We have much to celebrate and be proud of,” says Mr. Upton.
ENDS