Categories and license agreements
Urgent Action Required:
Protect the Future of your Parent-Run OOSH
Are you a parent-run OOSH operating in a Public School? This email is incredibly important to ensure your OOSH survives into the future.
In 2020 two parent-run OSHC Services closed as a result of the actions or inaction of the School Infrastructure, which sits within the NSW Department of Education.
In the past few weeks alone Network has identified three Services that are at risk of the same fate. Your urgent action is required to ensure your OOSH is not in the same situation.
Read on for more or click here to skip to 'What do I Do?'.
Overview
If you are a parent-run OOSH on a public school site, you have a license agreement with the Department of Education. There are 3 Categories that determine key details of your rent arrangement with the Department - in particular, whether you go to tender and how much you pay. Click here for more information on Categories.
If you are a parent-managed Service you should be a ‘Category A’ Service. However, over the past 12 months Network and our members have uncovered a number of OOSH Services that have been incorrectly placed in Category B by School Infrastructure.
It is vital that you are categorised correctly - if not, your Service can be put out to tender. This will mean that your OOSH Service will have to compete with other providers (which may be larger, experienced in tender writing, and unfamiliar with the needs of your community) to continue to operate on your school site.
What’s Happening Right Now?
Your OOSH Service should have received an email From: OSHC <OSHC@det.nsw.edu.au> in the last few months, Subject: OSHC License Provider Category Review.
The purpose of this email is to review all OSHC Services to determine whether the Department of Education has correctly categorised OSHC Services for the purpose of license agreements, fees and tender arrangements.
If you are a Parent-Managed or P&C Service you should be in ‘Category A’. It is vital that you are categorised correctly - if not, your Service can be put out to tender.
Click here to see examples of the email you may have received, and to learn more about what they mean.
You cannot assume that the Department of Education has you listed as a Category A service, even if it seems obvious to you.
If you are listed as a Category B (or even C) by mistake or due to a lack of information you will be put to tender. Only Category A services are exempt from going to tender.
Once a tender begins, you cannot stop the process, even if you later evidence that you should have been a Category A. You must act now.
Email Today - Don't Delay:
Step 1. Email: OSHC@det.nsw.edu.au; BASCReform@det.nsw.edu.au
Cc: network@networkofcommunityactivities.org.au
Subject: Category of <INSERT YOUR OOSH NAME>Body:
To whom it may concern,
I am writing on behalf of the parent volunteers that have been elected as the Persons with Management or Control of <INSERT OOSH NAME>. We operate from <SCHOOL NAME>.
I am aware that School Infrastructure is conducting a Survey of OOSH Services to confirm the organisation type and Category of each Provider, and that this work is ongoing.
This email is to confirm that <INSERT OOSH NAME> is a Category A service.
If our Service has been categorised otherwise, we intend to remedy this as part of the Survey/audit process. Our parent volunteers - as the persons responsible for the Association - will respond with evidence of our Category A status.
Can you please confirm that your records indicate that <INSERT OOSH NAME> is Category A?
Your urgent attention would be much appreciated.
Kind regards,
<NAME>
Step 2. Confirm you are a Category A
If you receive a return email that you are listed as a Category A Service, then all is well. Congratulations! You can breathe a sigh of relief.
If you receive confirmation that you are a Category B or C Service, contact Network immediately.
We will support you in providing the necessary documentation, and will advocate on your behalf to ensure you are categorised correctly.
If you do not receive a response within 3-5 business days we urge you to send a follow-up email (hit 'reply' on your original sent email and remind School Infrastructure that you are still waiting for a response). Make sure you alert Network by continuing to CC us.
This issue is extremely important and time sensitive. Do not delay at any step of the process. Your OOSH needs you!
Stay connected, be informed by reading Network OOSH alerts and follow us on our socials.
