About Us

New Lambton District OOSH acknowledges the the Awabakal and Worimi peoples who are the traditional custodians of this land.
We pay respect to Elders both past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people present and future leaders.

Providing quality before and after school care in a supportive and stimulating environment is what we do. Our day-to-day program is designed specifically to support our children’s educational journey and build a sense of community and belonging.

We think of our centre as our children’s second home.

Fast Facts
  • Providing quality before and after school care since 1992
  • Permanent and casual bookings
  • Available to children from New Lambton South Public and New Lambton Public Schools
  • Location:
NEW LAMBTON
St James Road,
New Lambton NSW
(located on the grounds of New Lambton South Public School)
  • Over 440 enrolled children
  • Over 320 families
  • 30 staff
  • Hours of operation, Monday to Friday:
    Before School: 6:45am – School start
    After School: School finish – 6:00pm
  • Approved to offer Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to all families who are assessed and approved by Services Australia.
  • Not for profit community organisation
  • Parent Managed Service

OUR PHILOSOPHY

New Lambton District OOSH is committed to ensuring that every child and young person feels valued, safe, and celebrated. Our service ensures opportunity is given to all, building their social conscience and holistic growth whilst allowing them to achieve their full potential.

Our children

NLDOOSH believes that middle childhood is a unique time in a child’s life and establishes the foundations for life-long learning. Children and young people’s welfare and well-being is our central focus. Opportunity will be given for children and young people to develop socially, while participating in an interest- based program that offers chances for safe risk taking, exploration, problem solving, leadership, independent thinking and decision making. Individuality will be embraced and encouraged, allowing their capability and curiosity to lead. We promote optimism and positive well-being and focus on allowing children and young people to be adaptable, allowing them to manage challenges and setbacks.

Our Staff

NLDOOSH values and acknowledges our passionate and committed Educators. We recognise that each Educator brings with them a unique skill set and life experiences, allowing children and young people to be engaged with role models who can enhance their understanding of the world.

Educators acknowledge their role as leaders, mentors, and advocates for children at our centre.

Fast Facts
  • Our staff are qualified in childcare and education
  • We have a minimum staff to child ratio of 1:15
  • All staff are screened through the Working with Children Check
  • All permanent staff are First Aid trained
“Such warm, caring and dedicated staff. We are lucky to have such a great service. Thank you, I feel so at ease dropping the kids off knowing they are in such good hands.”
The people who care for our children:
Our daily program

We understand that children are different and want different things from their before and after school care. With this in mind we make sure there is a wide and diverse range of activities and experiences on offer each session for structured and unstructured play.

All structured activities are planned with intentional teaching goals and are linked to pedagogical documentation from a range of educational resources including our philosophy and the Department of Education curriculum framework – My Time Our Place. Our practices and principles follow the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s 7 National Quality Standards and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

We reflect and evaluate our activities on a continual basis, meeting weekly to discuss the success of recent activities as well as our children’s interests and strengths. We ensure that evaluation of our activities is an inclusive undertaking, seeking feedback from children and parents by way of surveys, our “big ideas board” and in general conversations and observations. We use these evaluations to inform ongoing planning and to extend or scaffold interest onto subsequent child lead, interest based activities.

As well as providing a range of stimulating and educational activities, there are many opportunities for our children to develop socially through structured activities and sports, free play or even our very social meal times. Social skills are important life skills and our inclusive environment, combined with the programs we offer, affords our children an excellent opportunity to develop those skills in an organic way.

Our diverse daily programs are well supported by our physical environment, which allows for different spaces on our premises that we use to run distinctive activities and experiences . We run appropriate activities in appropriate spaces, from arts and crafts in our art room, sporting activities on our grassy areas and chill out zones to read or do homework.

The programs we offer are as diverse as the children in our care.

  • ‘Mastermind’ area – Lego and STEM activities
  • Unstructured/ free play
  • Chill out zone for reading or homework
  • Noisy play in the playground
  • Sport (structured and unstructured) on our grassy areas
  • Art and craft in the art room
  • Senior room
  • Games both inside and outside
  • Gardening
  • Music
  • Dancing
  • Environmental activities in the green room
  • Pretend play with dolls or dress ups
  • Sand pit
  • Playground equipment
  • Drama
  • Board and card games
  • End of term concerts
Sustainability

New Lambton District OOSH recognises that sustainability encompasses Environmental, Social and Economic pillars. Educators recognise and encourage children and young people’s keen interest in their world. They are agents for positive change.

When thinking about sustainability we are ensuring the future and the connection between people, animals, plants, land, and water.

We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for country for more than 60,000 years using richly sustainable practises.

At NLDOOSH we:
  • only use/ take what we need
  • reuse – pick up school litter and turn it into art, braid donated old towels into dog toys for Newcastle Animal Rescue
  • minimise waste by using our 4 bin system – landfill, recycling, compost and reuse
  • actively manage and understand the purpose of the garden compost heap
  • connect with our environment with semi organised gardening sessions and activities
  • engage with and support our communities by way of food and clothing drives and fundraising activities

Our sustainability activities regularly feature on our Facebook page and our gallery.

Relationships

Collaborative relationships are at the core of everything we do.  NLDOOSH believes that parents, families, and communities have an invaluable role to play within our service. Genuine, respectful, and reciprocal partnerships with children, parents, schools, community, and other stakeholders are vital in creating a High-Quality service.

Governance

We operate inside the National Quality Framework, the Education and Care Services National Regulations and adhere to The United Nations Convention of the Rights of The Child.

NLDOOSH Management Committee oversees the provision of a High-Quality service that is bound by inclusive and equitable practice and a commitment to continuous improvement and critical reflection. Genuine consultation with staff, families and other stakeholders is valued and important to the operation of our centre.

NLDOOSH operates inside the National Quality Framework, the Education and Care Services National Regulations, adheres to The United Nations Convention of the Rights of The Child.

Safety and Security

We are a Child Safe service and have zero tolerance for child abuse. Implementing the Child Safe Standards, we work at every level to create a safe environment that protects children and young people from harm.

Cultural Competence

At New Lambton District OOSH we value difference and respect all ways of knowing, seeing and living and will celebrate the benefits of diversity.

We endeavour to pass onto children and young people an understanding of histories, cultures, languages and traditions, promoting their cultural competence.

Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives through engagement with local, regional and national knowledge holders will allow children to experience an authentic advancement of reconciliation.

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