INDEPENDENT NEWS

Connecting Families With Out Of School Care

Published: Mon 4 Feb 2008 12:21 AM
Connecting Families With Out Of School Care Services
Connecting families with out of school care services for children just got easier with The OSCAR Foundation's launch of an online database of OSCAR (out of school care and recreation) programmes.
As children go back to school this week, families looking for out of school care options for their children can relax. The new search facility will make it easier for parents to find before school and after school programmes close to their home or work. It will also provide them with contact details for each programme.
The OSCAR Foundation receives many enquiries from parents and caregivers who are searching for OSCAR programmes and believes the development of this facility will give families more freedom and choice.
Murray Upton, Chief Executive of The OSCAR Foundation, says families should be free to look around and find the most suitable programme for their children.
'Our search facility will give them the information to find the best programme suited to their needs'.
'There are now a lot more options for families', he says, 'With the OSCAR sector doubling in the last three years, families are able to choose where their children go before and after school.'
This growth is set to continue with full support of the sector from the Government by way of its Five Year Action Plan focusing on increasing the availability, accessibility, affordability and quality of OSCAR services.
All OSCAR programmes on the online database are Child, Youth and Family Approved for OSCAR Services, or in the process of gaining approval. This means they have met minimum standards as set and assessed by Child, Youth and Family.
The OSCAR Foundation is a national body focused on ensuring all children in New Zealand has access to quality OSCAR programmes by representing, promoting and supporting OSCAR providers throughout the country.
Made possible with the support of The Ministry of Social Development, this new initiative is believed to be the only one of its kind in New Zealand.
The Find An OSCAR Programme search facility can be accessed at www.oscar.org.nz/directory.asp
ENDS

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