Providing childcare services
You may be able to get assistance for your programme for school-age children and young people. This might be advice, a development grant or help with running costs.
What are OSCAR providers
OSCAR providers offer programmes for school-age children and young people. The programmes include before school care, after school care, school holiday programmes and camps.
Some OSCAR programmes meet the OSCAR Standards for Approval and some do not.
What are the OSCAR Standards for Approval
The OSCAR Standards for Approval are a set of standards that have been developed by the Ministry of Social Development together with stakeholders from the Out of School Services sector. They are a set of minimum standards that OSCAR providers should have in place to ensure a safe environment for children attending their programmes.
The Standards are voluntary and a provider of OSCAR programmes does not have to be approved before providing a programme. However more providers are recognising the advantages of becoming an OSCAR approved provider and are choosing to meet the standards.
The approvals process
The approvals process provides an external, independent check that the programme meets the recommended standards. It can also provide a foundation for continuing quality improvement.
Child, Youth and Family assessments
Before a provider can become OSCAR approved the organisation must meet certain criteria and be assessed by Child, Youth and Family.
Becoming an approved provider
If you'd like to become an approved provider or like information about becoming an approved provider please visit our page:
Information for approved providers
For information for approved OSCAR providers please visit our page:
Getting funding or assistance
The OSCAR Foundation provides free assistance to help providers meet the OSCAR Standards.
You can apply for a one-off Development Grant from us to help set up your programme and get approved.
If your programmes is approved you may be able to get Assistance Grants from us to help with the day to day costs of running your programme.
Funding to develop or run your programme.
Parents or caregivers whose children attend an approved programme may be able to get an OSCAR Subsidy that gets paid straight to the provider.
For more information
The OSCAR Foundation’s aim is to ensure all New Zealand children have access to quality, affordable after school care, before school care, holiday programmes and camps. Their advisors provide advice and support throughout the country.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) together with other government agencies and the Families Commission has developed a Five-Year Action Plan to strengthen Out of School Services in New Zealand.
An administrator's guide to the childcare and OSCAR subsidies.