By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Families at Eastern Ranges School in Ferntree Gully are embracing the newly expanded High Intensity Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program, which is now available free of charge, following the promise made by the State Government to Victorians during the last election.
For the school’s principal, Samuel Silverwood, the service has been a game-changer for both students and their families.
Having been the school principal since mid-2023, Mr Silverwood has seen firsthand the positive impact the OSHC program has had on the school community.
“It’s been fantastic, parents now have access to free out-of-school hours care, which has opened up more opportunities for them. The main aim of the program is to increase workforce participation, and it’s really doing that,” Mr Silverwood said.
“What was once a service available once or twice a week for some students is now available three, four, or even five times a week.”
He said that the increased frequency of care is not only helping parents balance work and family life, but it’s also providing much-needed support.
“It’s giving parents a break, too,” he said.
The feedback from parents and caregivers has been overwhelmingly positive.
While the school had previously worked with a different provider for OSHC, Mr Silverwood said that the transition to High Intensity OSHC has been smooth.
“There’s more staff now, and that means more activities for the kids. I’ve noticed that when I visit, there’s more interaction between the staff and the students. It’s been great to see the kids so engaged,” he said.
Without this new service, many parents would still be relying on alternate arrangements, often leading to added stress.
“A lot of our families would have to make difficult choices, like leaving work early or asking family members to help,” Mr Silverwood said.
“For students with autism, unfamiliar faces can be confusing, so having a consistent routine is really important – this service helps avoid those challenges and creates a more stable environment for the kids.”
Some of the challenges families face outside of school hours, according to the principal, include the disruption of routines.
“Our students thrive on routine. If they’re used to mum or dad bringing them to school, it can be confusing if someone else takes them, especially if it’s someone like grandma or grandpa – the kids can get mixed up, thinking they’re heading to grandma’s house instead of school,” he said.
Despite these initial challenges, Mr Silverwood said the benefits of the new service far outweigh the hurdles.
“We know that finding care outside school hours is one of the biggest challenges families face and these new services will allow children with disability get the tailored care they deserve,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister, Ben Carroll said.
“This program means children with disability can access tailored care close to home at no cost, so parents can spend less time juggling caring with work or study and more time with their loved ones.”’
Mr Silverwood emphasised the importance of services like OSHC, not just in education settings but across the community.
“Having access to care like this – especially when it’s free – makes such a difference for families. With the increased funding, we’ve been able to hire more staff, which means more interaction with students and more activities. The kids are doing everything from outdoor crafts to water play, and it’s all been a huge win for the families,” he said.
Previously, the school had a user-pay OSHC service, but the High Intensity OSHC program, funded by the state government, has removed that financial burden.
“It’s been a win for the school, the students, and the families, – everyone benefits,” Mr Silverwood said.
The High Intensity OSHC program provides before and after-school care, as well as popular holiday programs, helping families who may otherwise struggle to find suitable care options.
The government’s investment in the program is part of a broader push to support students with additional needs across the state, with $1.6 billion invested in Disability Inclusion initiatives.
For many parents, the new service has offered more than just child care – it’s provided a lifeline that helps balance the demands of work and family while ensuring their children are receiving the care and support they need.
