Outside School Hours Care
Hutchins Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) is based in the Early Learning Centre at The Hutchins School. We cater for boys (and girls in Vacation Care) between 3 and 12 years, and operate on ratios of one staff member per 10 children for ages 3–5, and one staff member per 15 children for ages 6–12. The service is operated by a team of staff with both qualifications and years of experience in Children’s Services.
Our aim is to create an environment in which the individuality, diversity and growth of children is actively encouraged and celebrated. We are a flexible, child oriented service that encourages free-choice and constructive play, while providing the encouragement, protection, security, stimulation and support that children need throughout early and middle childhood. Our aim is to provide an environment in which children truly feel that they belong by encouraging and creating relationships.
Before and After School Care
We offer our Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 students Before School Care from 7.45am and After School Care until 6.00pm. Bookings are required, and may be made at any time by emailing the centre. All boys need to be enrolled with our Outside School Hours Care service before the booking can be confirmed. The enrolment form and fee schedule is available to download below.
Vacation Care
Vacation Care is offered to boys and girls aged 3–12 from 7.45am–6.00pm. Your child does not need to be a student at Hutchins to attend but all students (Hutchins and non-Hutchins) will need to be enrolled with our Outside School Hours Care service before making a Vacation Care booking.
Vacation programs are released 1–2 months in advance of the holiday period itself and will be emailed to parents/carers who have provided email addresses to the centre. The Term 3 2022 Holiday Program is available below.
To avoid disappointment, please complete the below forms as soon as possible as our Vacation Care program has limited places.
Summer Holiday Program
Holiday Program Booking Form
Our Vacation Care programs are designed to be fun, stimulating and challenging. They provide an opportunity to explore the world around us and have a lot of fun in the process. Excursions are undertaken as often as possible and form an integral part of the service we offer. We believe holidays should be a time for children to relax, have fun and engage with new and exciting experiences every day. With that in mind, we have a large range of excursions, all specifically chosen to cater to your children’s interests.
Vacation Care descriptions for Parents/Carers
Wednesday 14 December – Village Cinemas
- Location: Village Cinemas, Eastlands
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 20 minutes
- Depart: 10.15am
- Return: 1.00pm
- Route: via Sandy Bay Road
- Lunch: Bring your own packed lunch
- Treat: BYO snack (NO money will be taken)
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we’re off to the movies, we’ll be seeing one of the latest releases in the comfort of Village Cinemas. Please feel free to bring along your own small bag of treats to enjoy whilst watching the movie.
Thursday 15 December – Kingston Park
- Location: Kingston
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 30 minutes
- Depart: 10.00am
- Return: 1.00pm
- Route: via Southern Outlet
- Lunch: Pack your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 10
- Description: We are off to stretch our legs at the Kingston Park. Today the children will be able to play on the climbing equipment, slides, swings, flying fox and in the sandpit/water areas.
Friday 16 December – Zoodoo
- Location: Richmond
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 40 minutes
- Depart: 10.00am
- Return: 1.45pm
- Route: via Tasman Highway
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we are off to Zoodoo to visit the amazing animals on display. We will be visiting and watching feeding time with the lions and hand feeding the beautiful Tasmanian kangaroos and wallabies. Watch out for those monkeys, they might steel your lunch! More information about Zoodoo.
Monday 19 December – Lindisfarne Park and barbecue
- Location: Lindisfarne
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 20 minutes
- Depart: 10.30am
- Return: 1.05pm
- Route: via Tasman Bridge
- Lunch: Barbecue lunch provided
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: We are off to Simmons Park at Lindisfarne to run, jump and play. Children will have full access to play equipment and will be provided with sports equipment to use on grassed area. Barbecue lunch is provided, and all dietary requirements will be catered for.
Tuesday 20 December – Woody’s Skate & Play
- Location: Glenorchy
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 20 minutes
- Depart: 10.30am
- Return: 10.15pm
- Route: via Brooker Ave
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: $3 is allowed to purchase a treat
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Woodys Skate & Play here we come. Today the children will be enjoying a skate, scoot and play at Woodys Skate & Play. The children will be provided with roller blades and scooters along with safety equipment. Children can bring up to $3 if they wish, to purchase lollies or an icy pole. More information about Woody’s Skate & Play.
Wednesday 21 December – PCYC Huonville
- Location: Huonville
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 35 minutes
- Depart: 10.00am
- Return: 1.00pm
- Route: via Southern Outlet
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today the children are off to PCYC to play in the Fun Factory, on the basketball courts and with the cricket facilities. Children have access to all the equipment including tennis rackets and balls, soccer balls and footballs.
Thursday 22 December – Long Beach Park, Sandy Bay
- Location: Sandy Bay
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 10 minutes
- Depart: 10.30am
- Return: 1.00pm
- Route: via Sandy Bay Road
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Let’s enjoy the summer holidays at the beautiful Long Beach Park. Here the children can enjoy all of the play equipment along with sports equipment provided by Hutchins.
Friday 23 December – Christmas party
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Party food provided
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we celebrate Christmas. The children will be visited by Santa and his elf. The children will receive a gift from Santa and will enjoy a lunch full of Christmas party food.
Tuesday 3 January – Mount Nelson Park
- Location: Mount Nelson
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 10 minutes
- Depart: 10.30am
- Return: 12.45pm
- Route: via Southern Outlet
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 60
- Anticipated number of staff: 7
- Description: Happy 2023! Today we’re easing back into things by heading to the Mount Nelson Park. Children will have the opportunity to play on the equipment in the playground and on the Mount Nelson Oval with sports equipment provided by Hutchins.
Wednesday 4 January – Wentworth Park (bring your scooter and helmet)
- Location: Bellerive
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 20 minutes
- Depart: 10.30am
- Return: 1.00pm
- Route: via Tasman bridge
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: What better way to enjoy the sunshine than at Wentworth Park. Children are welcome to bring their scooters and helmets along to enjoy the scooter and bike track. Helmets must be worn, and NO bikes as we can’t fit them on our bus! Children will also have access to play equipment and sports equipment provided by Hutchins.
Thursday 5 January – Tahune AirWalk
- Location: Geeveston
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Depart: 9.30am
- Return: 2.30pm
- Route: via Southern Outlet
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: We are off to Tahune to see the beautiful sites of the Tahune forest. Children will be experiencing a walk along the Tahune AirWalk along with a bush walk. More information about the Tahune AirWalk.
Friday 6 January – Hutchins picnic
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Picnic lunch provided
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Lets enjoy the Tasmanian summer with a picnic. Children will be helping set up for our beautiful picnic in our outdoor area. Lunch will be a range of party foods, sandwiches, cupcakes etc. All dietary requirements will be catered for.
Monday 9 January – Bounce!
- Location: Derwent Park
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 20 minutes
- Depart: 10.15am
- Return: 12.45pm
- Route: via Brooker Avenue
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Who is ready for Bounce!? Today we are off to bounce the day away! Children will be provided with fresh bounce socks, please ensure you pack a water bottle as bouncing is thirsty work! More information about Bounce!
Tuesday 10 January – Dodges Ferry Boat Park
- Location: Dodges Ferry
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 45 minutes
- Depart: 9.45am
- Return: 1.15pm
- Route: via Tasman Highway
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we are off to Dodges Ferry to breath in that fresh sea breeze and enjoy a morning at the amazing Dodges Ferry Boat Park. Children will have full access to the play on the equipment and we will also have sports equipment provided by Hutchins.
Wednesday 11 January – pizza and movie day
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Pizza lunch provided
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Lets stays in and enjoy some pizza from Dominos! As well as Dominos, the children will be enjoying two choices of newly released movies. All dietary requirements will be catered for.
Thursday 12 January – Zone Bowling
- Location: Moonah
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 30 minutes
- Depart: 10.00am
- Return: 12.15pm
- Route: via Brooker Avenue
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: That’s a Strike! Today the children will be enjoying a fun filled day at Zone Bowling at Moondah. Whose is going to get the most strikes? Educators or the children? More information about Zone Bowling.
Friday 13 January – Richmond playground and lolly shop
- Location: Richmond
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 40 minutes
- Depart: 9.45am
- Return: 1.00pm
- Route: via Tasman Highway
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: If you would like, please bring $5-$10 for the lolly shop
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: What better way to spend the day than to play and enjoy some sweaty treats. We are on our way to the Richmond Lolly Shop. Children are welcome to bring $5-$10 to purchase a treat of their choice. We ask that the maximum amount brought is $10. Children will also enjoy time running and playing on the Richmond playground equipment and will be provided with sports equipment from Hutchins.
Monday 16 January – Amaze
- Location: Richmond
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 40 minutes
- Depart: 9.45am
- Return: 1.00pm
- Route: via Tasman Highway
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: The Richmond Maze is back! Today the children will be working their way through the beautiful Richmond Maze that started from seed and is now 2m high. Let’s see who can find their way through the amazing Amaze. More information about Amaze.
Tuesday 17January – Hutchins Treasure Hunt
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we are off to explore Hutchins and we hope to find treasure! Clues will be placed around different areas of the School and it will be a race to find the X marks the spot!
Wednesday 18 January – Opossum Bay Beach
- Location: Opossum Bay
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 1 hour
- Depart: 9.45am
- Return: 2.00pm
- Route: via South Arm Road
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Lets enjoy a day at the beach, there is no better beach than the stunning Opossum Bay! Children will be enjoying a stroll along the beach, a sandcastle competition, along with a play on the Opossum Bay playground.
Thursday 19 January – Alpaca Farm
- Location: Orielton
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 45 minutes
- Depart: 10.00am
- Return: 1.45pm
- Route: via Tasman Highway
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we are off to see the Toffeemont Alpacas. We will be learning how these curious wonderfully gentle animals live and the history behind Alpacas. Children can feed and wander through the fields of beautiful Alpacas. More information about Toffeemont Alpacas.
Friday 20 January – Pottery class
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we get to use our hands to create a beautiful pottery piece. Glazed and Confused are coming to Hutchins to provide the children with pottery materials and tools. Glazed and Confused will be assisting and teaching the best clay and pottery techniques. More information about Glazed and Confused.
Monday 23 January – Salmon Ponds
- Location: Plenty
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 1 hour
- Depart: 10.00am
- Return: 1.15pm
- Route: via Lyell Highway
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today children will be enjoying a day at the heritage Salmon Ponds. Children will have the opportunity to feed the fish and look through the heritage buildings located on site. More information about Salmon Ponds.
Tuesday 24 January – Dance with Paint
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Dance with Paint is a 90 minute workshop designed to energise the children through the drama of listening to image rich music. The children create personalised art works through different mediums and styles of painting. They are encouraged to move and paint with the mood of the music. They produce a personal painting to take home and, if time provides, a group painting.
Wednesday 25 January – Silver Falls and Fern Tree Tavern
- Location: Wellington Park
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 25 minutes
- Depart: 9.45am
- Return: 1.15pm
- Route: via Churchill Avenue
- Lunch: Hot chips provided for lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we are off to explore the beautiful Silver Falls. After walking and viewing the beautiful waterfall we will be spending some time on the Silver Falls nature playground before heading over the Fern Tree Tavern for hot chips for lunch.
Friday 27 January – Reptile Tasmania
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Snakes and lizards at Hutchins – let’s just say it’s not for the faint hearted! Reptile Tasmania will be coming to visit with their incredible collection of Tasmanian snakes. Children will be learning about the snakes we have here in Tasmanian as well as snake safety. Reptile Tasmania also have friendly pet snakes and lizards for the children to hold and handle.
Monday 30 January – Russell Falls Bushwalk
- Location: Mount Field National Park
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Depart: 9.45am
- Return: 1.30pm
- Route: via Lyell Highway
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: There is no better way to enjoy the summer holidays then going for a bushwalk to a beautiful waterfall. Children will enjoy a bushwalk through Mount Field National Park and finish up with a play on the fantastic nature-based playground.
Tuesday 31 January – Circus training
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: During Term 3 school holidays we experienced an amazing circus performance by Circus Art Tasmania. Now the Circus is back but to show us the amazing skills and tricks of the circus world. Children will be participating in a circus training hosted by the Circus staff themselves. More information about Circus Art Tasmania.
Wednesday 1 February – Village Cinemas
- Location: Village Cinemas Eastlands
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 20min
- Depart: 10.15am
- Return: 1.00pm
- Route: Sandy Bay Road
- Lunch: Bring your own packed lunch
- Treat: BYO snack (NO money will be taken)
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Today we’re off to the movies, we’ll be seeing one of the latest releases in the comfort of Village Cinemas. Please feel free to bring along your own small bag of treats to enjoy whilst watching the movie.
Thursday 2 February – West Hobart Train Park and barbecue
- Location: West Hobart
- Transport: Bus
- Travel time: 15 minute
- Depart: 10.45am
- Return: 12.30pm
- Route: via Churchill Avenue
- Lunch: Barbecue lunch provided
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: All aboard! We are off to the Train Park. Today the children will have access to the climbing equipment, slides and swings. Children will enjoy a day outside and have access to sports equipment provided by Hutchins.
Friday 3 February – Hutchins Disco
- Location: The Hutchins School
- Transport: N/A
- Travel time: N/A
- Depart: N/A
- Return: N/A
- Route: N/A
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch
- Treat: N/A
- Expected number of children: 75
- Anticipated number of staff: 9
- Description: Lets go disco! Today we will be getting groovy for our last day of school holidays. We will be getting down low with limbo and dancing the last day away. Children will also play a round of pass the parcel under the shiny disco ball.
Our program
We believe that this is our time and our place. Our program is geared toward empowering children to join with us making our centre a place where they can feel they belong; a place where they can be who they are, and become who they want to be.
Our professional, experienced staff provide a program and environment that allows your children the freedom to engage in any or all of the activities that the centre runs, or to occupy themselves productively with the other games and equipment provided. We create environments that are diverse, fun and challenging, understanding the value of play in the role of middle childhood development. We encourage the children in our care to explore, develop, socialise and learn and to be the very best people they can be.
Our centre is built upon the foundation of learning through play. Programs implemented at the centre are designed not only to be fun, but to provide interesting, diverse and challenging experiences that encourage children to develop self-esteem, independence and confidence through play. Children are actively involved in the program planning process, either through direct initiation of activities, or through staff-guided experiences, designed to meet the needs and desires of the children. We also provide a wide range of free play activities designed to allow your children to express their creativity, use their energy and engage with one another actively and appropriately.
Our free play resources include Lego, police, fire and ambulance Duplo sets, Hama beads, Zoobs, toy pirate ships, train sets, marble run, table tennis, pool and air hockey, puzzles, games, a puppet theatre, dress ups, home corner, and much more. Children are also encouraged to get outside and get active! We have a large range of toys and equipment designed for outdoor play, ranging from sport and physical play, to sandpits and a playground with large grassed area.
Staff
- Miss Densey McInerney, Co-ordinator of Outside School Hours Care (6221 4212)
- Miss Louise Kaden, Assistant Co-ordinator of Outside School Hours Care
Please mail OSHC@hutchins.tas.edu.au if you have any queries, including bookings.
ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority) – Exceeding National Quality Standards

The Hutchins School Children’s Service, including Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, OSHC and Vacation Care have an overall rating of Exceeding the National Quality Standards. The National Quality Framework offers a national approach to regulatory requirements, the assessment and rating of services and quality improvement processes across the early childhood education and care sector, including OSHC and Vacation Care.
Our rating of Exceeding highlights that as a service, we have gone above and beyond what is expected of a service to meet the quality standards. It shows that we have demonstrated consistently high-quality practice, commitment and understanding across all seven Quality Areas, and have shown our practice is embedded in all service operations, is informed by critical reflection, and that practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with our families and community.
The Exceeding rating demonstrates our ongoing commitment to children, families, and education, and that our service is dedicated to maintaining the highest quality learning environment.
Philosophy and policies
- Centre Philosophy: OSHC and Kindergarten
- Abandoned Child Policy
- Absconded or Lost Child Policy
- Admissions, Bookings and Fees Policy
- Behaviour Guidance Policy
- Child Protection Policy
- Clothing and Comfort Policy
- Collection of Children Policy
- Excursions Policy
- Health and Hygiene Policy
- Infectious Diseases and Immunisation Policy
- Medication Administration Policy
- Nutrition and Healthy Eating Policy
- Health and Safety Addendum
- Parent Access and Information Policy
- Program Planning Policy
- Record Management Policy
- Sleep, Rest and Relaxation Policy
- Supervision and Staff Interaction Policy
- Plants and Vegetation Policy
- Medical Conditions Policy
- Water Safety Policy
- Children’s Services Philosophy
If you would like to view any of the above policies, please contact Mr Benjamin Searle, Policy and Compliance Manager.