OSCAR Standards for approval and provider guidance
Introduction
The OSCAR Standards for approval are used to determine whether out of school programmes comply with sections 25–27 of the Social Security (Childcare Assistance) Regulations 2004.
The OSCAR Standards measure whether an out of school programme provides adequate care and a safe environment for children. The standards determine whether a programme is properly run.
These standards were developed after consultation with the OSCAR Foundation, key OSCAR stakeholders and OSCAR providers.
Standards and guidelines
The six standards list the minimum requirements for OSCAR approval. After each standard, guidance information and suggestions are provided as to how to meet the standards.
Work and Income subsidies and grants
Parents may be able to receive an income-tested subsidy when their child attends to an approved OSCAR programme. The subsidy is also available for children up to the age of 18 years who receive a Child Disability Allowance and attend an approved programme.
Approved programmes may be eligible for grants. For more information on subsidies or grants go to the following pages on the Work and Income website:
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.
Definitions
Staff
In most places the guidelines makes no distinction between paid, unpaid, voluntary and casual personnel, referring to them all as staff.
Both the Standards and the guidelines describe requirements about the ages and responsibilities of younger staff, including when they can be included in a child:adult ratio and at what point they can be left in a position of responsibility for a programme or venue.
Parents
The Standards refer to parents, guardians and caregivers. There may be cases where guardians and caregivers take on the role of parents when enrolling children and using an OSCAR service.
Managers
This is the person or body legally responsible for the programme. This may include management committees, governance bodies, private owners, boards of trustees, and local government bodies.
