Enhancing Children's Play: Whakarewa i te taakaroa tamariki

We are a non-profit making organisation dedicated to providing information to OSCAR (Out of School Care And Recreation) programmes.

The OSCAR Network provides information on establishment, policies, funding, training, management and staff support, resources and the general running of an Out of School programme.

What is OSCAR?

OSCAR is the term used for out of school care and recreation services that operate for school aged children aged 5 –13 years.

Programmes may operate before school, after school or during school holidays. OSCAR services vary throughout New Zealand reflecting the diversity of their communities

The OSCAR Network provides support to programmes but is not a programme provider. We do not assess, endorse, approve, license or fund programmes.

Our Aim is to:

Promote, support and network for safe, accessible and affordable OSCAR services centering around the needs of the child and their whanau.

Ensure quality OSCAR services are child centred, fun and safe to meet the recreation and social needs of the child and their whanau.

The OSCAR Network in Christchurch has a well-earned reputation for working co-operatively alongside groups and agencies. We work as a team in an environment based on mutual respect and trust. It is the combination of skills, ideas and energy, which achieves results from the consensus decision-making process. We enjoy our work by 'thinking differently'.

In our offices at 25 Disraeli St, we have:

• Jan Waiti- Network Manager
• Liz Hawes- Projects Coordinator
• Pam Hughes - Training Coordinator
• Sharon Williams - Office Administrator

Please contact the Network should you require any further information. We are happy to answer any query the general public may have on OSCAR services. Leave a message or email us and we will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as we can.

Hei konaa mai 

History

The name OSCAR was mooted by Margaret Hayman, Colleen Young and Margreet Stronks. The name Out of School Care And Recreation reflects the need for safety and care together with constructive and creative leisure pursuits.

O.S.C.A.R. was founded by Margreet Stronks in 1986. Trained as a tutor in Child Development she saw the need in her own community. By involving the Christchurch City Council and the senior teacher at St Albans School, the community development model of the St Albans community became part of the establishment process for O.S.C.A.R. in St Albans.

An afterschool programme also existed at Beckenham School around this time.

OSCAR services support the needs and rights of the child to be cared for and to access leisure activities that are age and culturally appropriate. In this way OSCAR provides a support for families in their need for quality care and recreation as more pressure is placed on parents to work, be in training or re-train through the Governments 'Making Work Pay' Policies. 

Acknowledging our Funders

The OSCAR Network could not operate without the generous support of the following funding agencies:

• Christchurch City Council 
• Canterbury Community Trust
• Community Organisation Grants Schemes
• Ministry of Social Development
• Lottery Grants Board
• Pub Charities
• Community Learning Aotearoa New Zealand (CLANZ)
• 

 

Waiho ma te tangata e mihi