About 5 — MSS OSHC

Our Philosophy

Children and an Emergent Program

We view children at Morningside State School OSHC (MSS OSHC) as being successful, confident and capable individuals who have fun, play together, experience positive interactions and develop friendships with other children and Educators. We provide a caring, safe and stimulating learning environment for all children attending before and after school care, vacation care and pupil free days. We do this by ensuring that physical activity and healthy eating habits are incorporated into the program. Communication and social interactions between each child and Educators are empathetic, positive and promoted with planned group games in before and after school care, vacation care and pupil free days. Individual needs and interests are supported by an emergent program and with leisure indoor spaces where children can choose to engage in board games, construction, art or relaxing. Children are encouraged to contribute to our emergent program and philosophy, which grows and changes alongside our centre’s needs. Through thoughtful programming and planning, children have time to learn new and useful holistic life skills through structured, unstructured and spontaneous play experiences.

Meaningful Community

Morningside State School P&C is the Approved Provider for the centre. As MSS OSHC is run by the Morningside State School P&C, our OSHC is a valuable and integral part of the school and local community. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the P&C and are encouraged to give input on all aspects of OSHC matters. At MSS OSHC we aim to be affordable, accessible, and address the needs of families in the local community. We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal people as the traditional owners of this land and strive to support them, their culture and unique role in the life of this region and we embrace the diversity of all families and do all that we can to help them feel welcomed in our OSHC community.

Caring Educators

Our Educators are proactive with their relationships and communication with families and guardians. We encourage all parents to participate in the service and we respect families’ rights to have a voice in decision-making. We use feedback from all parties including children, parents, the school and local community resource groups to ensure children’s interests, health and safety are improved and grown. Educators foster respectful relationships with children and encourage children to listen and respect the feelings of others, while also teaching leadership and responsibility. We believe in empowering individuals, both adults and children, through decision-making, collaboration, responsibility and ownership. We take pride in employing diverse Educators with a wide range of skills and talents who provide a range of challenging and rewarding activities.

Connected Environment

Our service believes in connectedness and not just to each other but also, with the natural and structured environment. Our Educators guide and nurture children’s understanding, kindness, appreciation and respect for all living things and the natural environment. We aim to teach children about the interdependence between land, plants, animals and people. Our beliefs coincide with the Reggio Emilia views of the environment as the third teacher. As such, we ensure that the environments support children’s imagination, empower interdependence, confidence and feelings of freedom. Educators use reflective practice to incorporate visual prompts, create a comfortable and fun atmosphere that is rich in literacy and leisure-based activities. Educators have high expectations for both the environment and the children at MSS OSHC and use the theory of Vygotsky scaffolding, where Educators and other children support each other’s learning and development.

Acknowledging the Turrbal and Jaegara People

Hands up, hands down, we respect Turrbal and Jagara ground.

MSS OSHC acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagara (Yagara/Yuggera) People as the traditional and ongoing custodians of the Land on which we play, learn and grow together.

We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present and we believe that, guided by these Elders, the future of Australia rests in the hands of the children we care for.