The lowdown on before and after school care
Heading off to big school is a milestone in so many ways. Your child gains a new level of independence, and you might finally wave goodbye to long day care fees.
For working parents, though, school hours bring a new puzzle. The day starts later and finishes earlier than most jobs, so the question of who'll look after the kids before and after school needs an answer well before day one. Here's everything you wanted to know about before and after school care.
When should you book before and after school care?
You should book before and after school care as soon as you know which school your child will attend, ideally in the year before they start. Places are limited at many schools, and enrolling at the school doesn't guarantee your child a spot in its OSHC program.
Before and after school care services are usually run separately from the school, even when they're on the school grounds. Contact the provider directly, put your name on the waitlist and ask when they confirm places for the new school year. Booking early gives you the best chance of a spot for that all-important first term.
Why is before and after school care so hard to get?
Before and after school care is hard to get because demand for places outstrips supply in many parts of Australia, and educator shortages limit how many children services can take. It's a common problem in growing suburbs and big cities.
Kylie Brannelly, CEO of the Queensland Children's Activities Network and chair of the National Outside School Hours Services Alliance, said, "We have families on a weekly basis struggling to get a place in either outside school hours care or vacation care". Our suggestion? If you're on a waitlist, follow up regularly, because places can open up during the year.
Is my child supervised before school starts?
Your child is only supervised on school grounds from the time the school sets for teacher playground duty, which is usually a short window before the bell. If you drop your child off earlier, there may be no one there to look after them.
Check your school's supervision times in the enrolment pack or ask the front office. If you need to drop off earlier than that, before school care is the safe option, and many services include breakfast.
How much does before and after school care cost?
Before and after school care usually costs less per session than a day of long day care, because the sessions are shorter. In its 2023 childcare inquiry, the ACCC found the national average OSHC fee was $31.62 per session per child.
Approved services attract the Child Care Subsidy, which has replaced the old Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate. Families can claim it for children under 14 who aren't yet in secondary school, and since 5 January 2026 most families can get at least 72 hours of subsidised care a fortnight under the 3 Day Guarantee.
Can you use before and after school care casually?
Many before and after school care services offer casual sessions when they have room. That's handy if you work part-time or only need care for the occasional late meeting.
Registering with your local service ahead of time means your details are already on file, so you can book a casual session at short notice. Ask how far ahead casual bookings open and what the cancellation policy is.
What are the alternatives if you miss out on OSHC?
If you miss out on an OSHC place, there are other ways to cover the hours before and after school. Most families use one option or mix a couple across the week.
- Grandparents. A grandparent nearby might be able to do a couple of afternoons a week, or step in as an emergency back-up.
- Family day care. Many family day care educators offer before and after school care and are happy to do school drop-offs and pick-ups.
- Nannies and au pairs. A nanny or au pair can collect the kids and look after them at home until you finish work. Splitting the cost through nanny sharing can make it more affordable.
- Other school parents. A roster with a few families from the same class can cover a day or two, with each family taking a turn.
We look at each of these in more depth in our guide to alternative after school care.
Can after school activities help cover the gap?
After school activities like sport, music, drama and language classes can cover part of an afternoon and give your child something fun to look forward to. You may still need to arrange transport if the activity runs off the school grounds.
It's worth keeping the balance right, though. Elise Waghorn from the School of Education at RMIT University, warns that "Too many activities can see children neglect their schoolwork and limit family time". Her suggestion is a simple one: "You could consider limiting children to one or two activities per week."
How do you ask your employer for flexible work to manage school pick-ups?
You can make a formal written request for flexible working arrangements if you're the parent of a child who is school age or younger and you've worked for your employer for at least 12 months. Casual employees can also ask if they've worked regularly and systematically for 12 months and expect to keep doing so.
Your employer must respond in writing within 21 days, and they can only refuse on reasonable business grounds. If they refuse or don't respond, the Fair Work Commission can help resolve the dispute. Flexible arrangements might include changing your start and finish times, or working from home on the days you do school pick-up.
John Hopkins from Swinburne University suggests thinking about the request from your employer's side before you put it in. "Reverse-engineer it," he suggested, by looking at why you want the arrangement and how it would affect your work. Mary Wooldridge, chief executive of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, adds, "We certainly encourage employers to be open to the conversations about the needs and wishes of their employees."
If both parents work, share the load where you can, so sick days and school events don't always fall on the same person.
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FAQs
Does every primary school have before and after school care?
Not every primary school has before and after school care on site. Some schools share a service with a nearby school, and others have no service at all, so families use family day care or other options instead.
Do kindy children finish school earlier than older students?
Some schools have shorter days or staggered finish times for kindy and foundation students in the first weeks of term one. Check your school's transition timetable early so you can book care for those afternoons.
What do kids do in before school care?
Before school care usually includes breakfast and quiet play such as games and craft. Educators then walk the children to class or the playground when school supervision starts.
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