Overview of the OSCAR approval process
On this Page:
Summary of the approval process
The initial approval process can be summarised as:
- OSCAR provider seeks information from the OSCAR Foundation, or the Ministry of Social Development
- OSCAR provider forwards application and required documents to approvals team.
- Assessor reviews application.
- Assessor visits to see whether programme policies and procedures and practices meet the standards, and look at facilities, equipment and other key documents.
- Assessor gives provider written advice if there are outstanding requirements.
- If required provider carries out further work to meet the Standards.
- Provider notified in writing of outcome of the assessment.
- Approval is either granted or declined.
If approval is granted
If approval is granted the OSCAR provider is able to apply for OSCAR grants and parents are able to apply for subsidies.
The Approvals team usually reviews the programme every two years (unless the period is extended because of previous performance against the standards and an assessment of how your organisation is likely to perform in the future).
The approval process
This section gives an overview of the approval process from when you first decide to apply for approval through to the assessment decision.
If you need more information go to www.oscar.org.nz. An OSCAR Foundation advisor may be able to help you.
First you should make sure:
- your programme is able to operate in a way that meets all the standards
- policies and procedures described in the standards are in place.
Next you will need to send an application form and specified documents to the nearest approvals team.
An approvals assessor will go through your application and set up a visit.
You can expect to have your site visit within six weeks of applying.
If your programme is already up and running you will need to demonstrate that your programme meets the standards:
- through your written policies and procedures and other organisation or programme documents
- through a site visit.
First the assessor will review your application including the documents you provided. Then the assessor will do a site visit where they will talk to staff and observe how the programme runs. They will also look at facilities,equipment and other important documents (eg Warrant of Fitness).
The assessor will give you feedback at the time of the site visit. If you do have to improve your programme the assessor will talk to you about this and follow up with a letter about what changes are required and timeframes for getting back to the assessor about the changes.
If your programme has not started operating yet, the assessor will review the documents you provide showing how the programme will run to determine if your organisation has the potential and ability to run a safe programme and meet all the standards. The assessor will do a site visit and talk to any available staff.
When your programme is approved you will receive a letter confirming the approval (usually within four weeks of the site visit).
Reviews of approval
Your approval is usually reviewed every two years. You will receive a letter about the review asking you to send the specified documents and outlining the site visit.
During the visit the assessor will check that your programme is still running in accordance with the standards.
The approvals team may decide to extend your review period and this will be determined by previous performance against the standards, and an assessment of how your organisation is likely to perform against the standards in the future.
Further information is available on gaining a longer review period from your approvals assessor.
The approvals team may initiate a review if they become aware that your programme may not be complying with the standards.
Ceasing to operate an OSCAR programme
You may decide that you don’t want to keep providing your OSCAR programme. If so, let the approvals team know so that they can keep their records up-to-date and contact Work and Income about subsidies and grants so that you do not incur a debt. You will then relinquish your approval.
Suspending and/or revoking an approval
If an approved programme is no longer meeting the OSCAR Standards for approval and is not properly run your approval may be suspended and/or revoked, under Regulation 26 of the Social Security (Childcare Assistance) Regulations 2004.
If serious concerns arise that the standards are not being met and the programme is not adequate your approval may be suspended while these concerns are being investigated.
The existence of ongoing concerns could result in your approval being revoked.
The programme provider is able to make submissions to Child, Youth and Family before a final decision is made. The final decision would then be given in writing.
The provider may be able to apply at a later date for approval when appropriate changes have been made.
