For people looking at setting up a new Out of School Programme we have Establishment Information evenings, usually twice a year. You don't need to be a member of the OSCAR Network to attend an Establishment Information evening.

Contact: admin@oscarnetwork.org.nz or call 03 3793 915

The information below is a basic overview of the Establishment process for setting up an OSCAR programme. For the full Development Pack, send an email to admin@oscarnetwork.org.nz and a pack will be mailed out to you.

Do we need an OSCAR Programme?

First - Establish a need.

• Contact other parents - through a school newsletter / community noticeboard
• Talk with the principal, shop owners, community worker, community constable - is there a problem with children after school?
• Have people indicated a need for a place for children to go when school is out?
• Check what is available already for 5 - 13yr olds.
• Survey parents (through the school newsletter)
• Organise a Public Meeting to publicise the survey results and gauge community interest. Invite the OSCAR network to attend.

How to provide O.S.C.A.R. in your area

• With a group of interested people, discuss your philosophy (why) and aims and objectives (what). Use the results of your survey as an indicator.
• Seek out appropriate people to support the project.

Discuss and decide on:

• Management Structure
• Venue
• Budget, funding and fees
• Policies and Procedures
• Programming and Administration
• Equipment
• Staffing
• Promotion
• Contract with school / community centre / church

Starting your OSCAR Service

Before you can set a starting date you need:

• Establishment Funds - for Development funding information and applications see the OSCAR Foundation's website here.
• Venue
• Aims/Objectives, (a constitution if you run independently)
• Policies and Procedures - A copy of the standards you will need to adhere to can be found here.
• Staff job descriptions, persons specifications and contracts

Before you start operating:

• Advertise and appoint staff
• Promote service and take enrolments
• Gather equipment
• Finalise contracts (e.g. for venue)
• Finalise basic policy and procedure manual
• Set fees and funding plan

 

Development Packs

For a development pack, email admin@oscarnetwork.org.nz

Establishment Kits

For establishment kits, contact the OSCAR Foundation advisors: