All Your Questions

Schools FAQs’

Our involvement required in becoming an Accredited Safeguarding Children Organisation

Our Patch is very committed at EVERY level to keep our children safe, therefore our commitment to Safeguarding children is our DNA. Undertaking Safeguarding Children Accreditation is a detailed, multi-stage process that requires a significant investment of time and resourcing. It is also the only accreditation scheme in Australia to have endorsement by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). As a team, we are building this safeguarding children framework into every Patch to keep all children safe and support educators to build strong healthy relationships, embrace inclusivity and promote diversity.

Our minimum attendances required to offer a program at Our School

Our Patch is committed to supporting schools to offer Our Patch Program. The minimum number of children can vary depending on how long your operating hours are, staffing and resourcing. Please contact us for further Information and will work with you to support what your school community need are.

Administration Fees for families.

Simply there are NO admin Fees charged to our families. We know how important it is to encourage all families to enroll their child to Our Patch, therefore we are committed to no charge annual enrolment fees and there are no minimum amount of bookings required. We want Our Patch to be affordable for all our families.

Our Patch relationship with anzuk..

Our Patch was founded by both Rosa Piteri and anzuk Founder/CEO Daniel Mundy. Both Rosa and Daniel have come together to change the current OSHC model and bring quality back to OSHC. Rosa and Daniel are committed to support each school community to create a patch for every child to GROW.

Educators training prior to commencement at your school

All our Educators have completed the Australian Childhood Foundation Accredited Child Protection Training before commencing at our schools and will also have completed the Our Patch Induction and Training program. This Induction involves a combination of face to face, online and practical training.

Parents

Tell me more about the Program offered at Our Patch?

Our Patch’s weekly programs are developed with Child’s Voice at the forefront and every patch is designed based on the feedback provided by the children through our VOICE APP. We often offer children Specialist Offerings such as Karate, Basketball and STEM at no extra charge to every child.

Contact the Patch Leader at your school to find out what exciting activities are planned this week!

Tell me about the Menu at Our Patch

Our Patch serve a variety of nutritious foods and snacks during sessions in line with PANOSH guidelines.

Breakfast is served during Before School Care, Holiday Programs and Pupil Free Days, and Afternoon Tea is provided for After School Care, Holiday Programs and Pupil Free Days. 

Please note that all Our Patch services are nut free, and we ask you to advise any other food allergies, intolerances or cultural considerations around food for your child at the time of enrolment.

My child is encouraged to bring along:

  • A hat is required as per our Sun Protection Policy.
  • Any medication required
  • A water bottle

Our Program hours at Our Patch…

Have a look at your Program’s profile on our website for specific information about your Program

My child attends Extra Curricular Activities after school

All we need you to do is complete an Extra Curricular Activity Permission Form and your child will be able to attend.

My Child is Starting school in Prep in the new year, and want to attend the holiday program prior to Term 1….

We are happy to support your child at this time, let us know at time of enrolment so that we can talk more with you about this transition

My child is in prep or new to the program and may not know where Our Patch is…

Our Educators will be in Our Patch and will collect all PREP/Foundation age children. Any new child starting our Patch Leader will talk with you to ensure that your child comes safely to Our Patch

Unable to collect my child…

Please call your program to advise if you are unable to collect. If someone else will pick up your child, they will need to be an authorised contact on your child’s enrolment form.

COVID -19

What measures do you have in place for COVID?

Our Patch has a COVID Safe Plan which is implemented at all of our programs.

What to do if my child is unwell?

If your child is displaying any symptoms, they will need to stay home until they are well. Any child with prolonged symptoms though they are better, will need a clearance from a doctor.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT AND COURT ORDERS

Our Patch is an inclusive program for all children, regardless of whether they have special needs, medical conditions or allergies.

It is really important that we obtain all required documentation and/or medication prior to your child attendings to ensure we operate in line with the Education and Care National Laws and Regulations.

Unfortunately, if we do not have the required documentation and/or medication, your child will be unable to attend.

See our medical action plans here. 

What do I need to do if my child has a medical condition or specific health need?

When completing your enrolment, you are required to list any special needs, medical conditions or allergies that your child may have, each condition is dealt with individually and requires a medical management plan to be developed and or a Risk Minimisation Plan. 

All documentation is required prior to your child attending, including any medication.

What do I need to know if my child has additional need/s?

If your child has additional need/s a support plan is to be developed in consultation with your Patch Leader.

What do I need to know if my child has a court order?

Any court orders must be uploaded to the child’s enrolment form on OWNA prior to your child attending the program.

BOOKINGS & CANCELLATIONS

How do I enrol my child into Before, After School Care or a Holiday Program?

You can easily enrol your child into one of our programs by locating your school on our website. Locate School or Program

Once you are here, select the school and click on enrol here. You will then commence the registration process, where you will then receive an email asking you to set up a password. Once you have set up your password you can then finalise your child’s registration including entering medical history, CRN details and who is authorised to collect.

If you don’t receive an email within two minutes, please check your junk mail as this may be where the email is hiding. If not, and you still need assistance please contact our Customer Care Team on 1300 018 310 who will be happy to assist you.

How do I make bookings?

Bookings can be made online or via the app anytime up to 5.00pm the day before the session for Before School Care, Holiday Programs or Pupil Free Day bookings, or 12.00pm the same day for After School Care. If you require a booking after this time, please contact the Customer Care Team directly.

Bookings can be made on a permanent or casual basis. 

Permanent Bookings are defined as any ongoing bookings on any day of at least two consecutive weeks.

Any other booking is considered Casual.

How do I cancel a booking?

To avoid any out of pocket costs, cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the session. Any cancellations made within this 48 hour period will incur the total fee for the program, less any Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Cancellations can be made via the OWNA app, or via email to the Customer Care team.

What happens if I am running late to collect my child from care?

Sometimes things happen where you are unavoidably late to collect your child from care. We ask that you firstly call the Patch Leader at the program to let them know that you are on your way.

Families may incur a fee of $15 per child for the initial 15 minutes, followed by an additional $1 per child for each subsequent minute beyond the scheduled session closure time. 

PARENTS CCS

How do I confirm my enrolment through MyGov to obtain Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?

To confirm your enrolment through myGov to receive your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) you need to either download the myGov app, if you haven’t already done so, login, click on Child Care Subsidy and then Enrolments, where you can then review the enrolment details for each child and confirm or change.

Further assistance can be found in the following guide: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/online-help/centrelink/confirm-your-childs-enrolment-details-child-care-subsidy#a2

How will the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) be Paid?

CCS is paid directly to Our Patch and credited straight to your account so that you are only charged the gap fee between the subsidy and fee charged.

How is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Calculated?

The Australian Government Child Care Subsidy helps families with the cost of approved child care.

The subsidy is calculated based on a number of factors, including your family's income, the type of child care, and the hours of recognised activities you and your partner do.

You can find further information on this at:

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy/how-much-you-can-get

Why am I being charged full fees, when I should be getting Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?

There are a number of reasons you may not be receiving the Child Care Subsidy and therefore being charged the full fees:

  1. You have not yet accepted/confirmed Our Patch Education as your child care provider within myGov.
  2. You have not started or completed your myGov assessment
  3. Your family income is above $530,000 per annum and therefore you are not entitled to CCS
  4. The account holder is not the same as the parent eligible for CCS via myGov and therefore the account needs to be updated to reflect the parent with the eligible Customer Reference Number (CRN).

FEES & BILLING

How much is each session?

Session fees can be viewed in the program profile for each Our Patch program. 

How will I be charged?

Fees will be automatically debited every week in arrears from the bank account or credit card provided at enrolment. Please note that declined payments may result in dishonour fees or enrolment suspensions. Statements can be viewed online or via the app.

Are there any additional fees?

Late Pick Up Fee

Families may incur a fee of $15 per child for the initial 15 minutes, followed by an additional $1 per child for each subsequent minute beyond the scheduled session closure time.

Incursions & Excursions
Holiday Programs may include incursions and excursions with additional fees. These will vary based on the activity and may be subject to change. These will be available in the Holiday Program flyer once bookings are open.