About our Vacation Care

We provide Vacation Care during the school holidays, which caters for the children of Epping Heights Public School and the wider community. Vacation Care is packed with exciting activities that take place both in and out of the centre. Our program aims to keep your children entertained during the holidays and ensure that they having lots of fun with their friends.

Vacation Care Opening Hours

7:00am – 6:00pm

New children attending Vac Care

If you have never attended Epping Heights OSHC before, you will need to enrol in the centre by completing the enrolment process online. (This is in addition to the Vacation Care permission forms.) Please follow the link to view instructions on how to enrol. Enrolments

Vacation Care Program

Our  2025 Autumn Vacation Care Program is now available for viewing!

Bookings open Thursday, 20th March 2025 at 10:30am and can be made via the Portal.

Click here if you wish to view our risk assessments.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Vacation Care Booking & Attendance Guidelines

Bookings

• Bookings must be made via our portal.
• Book early to avoid disappointment.
• Booking cut-off dates are listed on the vacation care information sheet.
• After the cut-off date:
  • Bookings are chargeable.
  • If spots are available, bookings can be made via email (+$5 per booking).
• Check age restrictions on each program and only book suitable days for your child.

Operating Hours & Fees

• Centre Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (late pickup fees apply as per the parent handbook).
• Fees are as per the information sheet and are payable via direct debit at the conclusion of the Vacation Care period.
• Non-notification Fee: Applies if staff must contact you regarding your child’s whereabouts:
  • If they miss the bus.
  • If they are absent by 9:00 AM on incursion days (unless written notice is provided).

Signing In & Out:

• • Must be done daily via the Centre touchscreen/iPad by an authorised person (18+).
  • Additional fees apply for missed or inaccurate sign-ins/outs.

Excursion Days

• Arrival Time: Children must be at the Centre by 8:30 AM (buses depart on time).
• Return Time: Typically by 3:00 PM (check program details for exact times).
• Important Notes:
  • No spending money is allowed.
  • Excursions use chartered buses (see flyer for details).
  • Contact staff for further excursion information.

Food & Drinks

• Provided: Breakfast (until 8:30 AM, depending on the program) & afternoon tea.
• Not Provided (must bring):
  • Morning tea, lunch & drinks (even on days when lunch is provided, as food may not suit your child).
  • A drink bottle (additional charges apply if the Centre provides one).
• Allergies: No nut products, as some children have severe allergies.
• Additional Food Charges: If staff must supply extra food or drinks beyond breakfast and afternoon tea, additional fees apply as per our policies.

What to Bring Each Day

• Essentials:
  • A hat & drink bottle.
  • Sun-safe clothing (including sunscreen in warmer months).
  • Clothing appropriate to the activity (eg: skirts/dresses would not be suitable for rock climbing etc)
  • Enclosed shoes (no thongs, sandals, or crocs).
• Excursions: Wet weather gear (if applicable).
• Art/Craft Days: Clothes suitable for messy activities.

Health & Safety

• Ensure your child’s allergy/anaphylaxis information is up to date at the Centre.
• Read program details carefully and dress children appropriately.

To Book Vacation Care 

Once Vacation Care is open, bookings can be made by following the below steps:

1. Log in to the Portal using your previously supplied username and password.
2. Click on “Parents”, “Bookings” and then “Add/Edit Bookings”.
3. Navigate to the week you are wanting to make bookings for. This can be done by selecting the calendar or by utilising the arrows to move one week forward/back.
4. Select the bubble on the day you are wishing to book.
5. Select from the available activities and then click “Add”.
6.  Accept any permissions on the confirmation screen and then click “Book Activity”.
7. This will take you back to the daily view. You can navigate to a different day by utilising the arrows or by clicking done to return you back to the calendar.
8. Repeat the above steps to book into all the required days. (Please note: The Pupil Free Day can often be found in Week 1 of the following term)
9. The system will generate a booking confirmation email it will be sent to your nominated email address within 15 minutes. Review your booking confirmation email to ensure the days booked are correct.
10. Sign and return any waivers, if required.

Please find the below video explaining the process:

*If you wish to resend the Vacation Booking Summary, this can be done via the Parents Menu> Bookings> Vacation Care Resend Email option.

Payment:

• Families on Direct Debit will not need to make this payment – this will be automatically debited at the end of Vacation Care.