Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR)
What is OSCAR?
The term ‘Out of School Care and Recreation’ (OSCAR) refers to before-school, after-school and school-holiday programmes for school-aged children (aged five to 13 years), where the care of a child has been formally handed over from a parent or caregiver to an OSCAR provider.
OSCAR offers children a range of activities and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
For parents, the provision of OSCAR in their community can remove barriers to participation in paid work and training.
OSCAR programmes who are approved as meeting the OSCAR standards can apply for government funding. This includes Development Grants for new providers, Assistance Grants for existing providers and OSCAR subsidies for parents who meet an income test. These are all accessed through Work and Income.
OSCAR funding and standards
Funding
In order to maintain current average grant funding levels the government has approved $2.8 million of additional funding for OSCAR provision for the period to June 2013. Additional funding is necessary because of the increase in the number of programmes.
There will be no changes in the OSCAR funding model in the short term. The new funding is the first step to improve the availability and affordability of OSCAR. In the longer term, work will continue to expand the supply and improve the flexibility of OSCAR provision.
Standards and approval process
New standards are in use for OSCAR programmes. They are simpler and will reduce compliance requirements while maintaining the emphasis on child safety.
Read the new OSCAR standards and guidance
With a reduced number of standards, the new assessment and review process will require less paperwork and reduce administrative requirements for providers with a proven track record.
Existing providers will be compliant with the new standards without making any changes, and will be assessed against the new standards at their next approval review.
The administrative requirements for providers with a proven track record will also be reduced with the review period being lengthened from two years to five years.
October assistance funding round
This process has been designed to minimise the administration requirements for the next contract period, and will facilitate early payment to support providers’ cash flows.
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Current assistance contracts
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For providers with contracts ending 31 December 2011
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Extended for 18 months |
The Ministry is offering to extend contracts by 18 months to 30 June 2013 at current rates of funding. Over the next two to three weeks the Ministry will send these providers an offer of funding. |
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Sign and return the contract |
To accept this offer providers need only:
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Due date 18/11/2011 |
Signed contracts must be returned by 18 November 2011 to: Ministry of Social Development Attention: Sasha Chadwick PO Box 1556 Wellington 6140 |
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Payment |
Payment will be made within 15 working days following receipt of all required documents. |
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New Programmes |
Applications for assistance funding for new programmes |
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Existing providers |
Providers who have received or are receiving development or assistance funding as at 30 September 2011 can apply to the Ministry for assistance funding for new programmes. This will include providers with applications for development funding that are submitted to the Ministry by 30 September 2011, on the condition that their development grant is approved. Applications forms will be sent on request to providers or can be downloaded from the Ministry website. |
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Information required |
Applicants should provide
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Funding |
Providers will be offered assistance funding for new programmes of $6,000 excl GST per annum. A new contract will be issued covering the new programmes. |
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Due date 18/11/2011 |
Applications must be returned by 18 November 2011 to: Ministry of Social Development Attention: Sasha Chadwick PO Box 1556 Wellington 6140 |
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Funding rate review |
Providers can apply for the Ministry to review the level of funding awarded to programmes. |
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Review requests should be accompanied by information supporting the need for increased funding:
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Due date 18/11/2011 |
Applications must be returned by 18 November 2011 to: Ministry of Social Development Attention: Sasha Chadwick PO Box 1556 Wellington 6140 |
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New providers |
Providers who do not meet the description of ‘existing provider’ above |
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New providers should apply for development funding first, and may apply for assistance funding at subsequent funding rounds. |
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Next assistance funding round |
The next assistance funding round will occur in April 2012 and will be for contracts commencing 1 July 2012. |
OSCAR Development Grants
Applications for OSCAR Development Grants should be made through the OSCAR Foundation in the usual way.
Queries in relation to the October Funding Round can be addressed to Shelley Hancock by email at shelley.hancock002@msd.govt.nz or by phone on 04 978 4296.
OSCAR Consultation
The Ministry of Social Development consulted with OSCAR representatives to gather feedback about the potential impact of proposed changes to the OSCAR standards and funding. The proposed changes were designed to improve OSCAR by:
- simplifying the OSCAR standards
- making the approvals process easier
- using grant funding more effectively
- removing barriers to school involvement with OSCAR.
The consultation process was designed to test some initial proposals, and to draw on the sector's expertise to further develop proposals that would effectively improve OSCAR.
A summary of the consultation and its findings can be downloaded at the side as can summaries of the feedback received at consultation meetings.
Findings from the first year of implementation of the Extended Services initiative
The report shows that the four providers implemented their Extended Service programmes as intended. In 2008, the four providers:
- widened the focus of their programme to include activities and opportunities that can contribute to the positive development and wellbeing of children
- consulted with children, families, schools and communities
- worked with the host-school and local community
- reached school-aged children in low-decile schools
- aimed to sustain their programmes in the long-term.
The experience of the four providers pointed to several factors contributing to the successful implementation of Extended Services. These factors included:
- providers having strong partnerships with the host-school
- providers fostering a positive environment and good relationships with children and families
- providers involving children as 'partners' in their programmes.
