Dear Parents and Caregivers,

You should have recently received both Vac Care booking forms and a notice regarding updated OSHC fees for 2024. In light of the cost of living crisis and increases in costs and inflation pressures across the board for parents, caregivers and the school itself, this decision to increase fees was not taken lightly by the Governing Council. 

During 2023, there were a number of unavoidable cost pressures on OHSC, including mandatory changes to wages, superannuation percentages, and the increase in costs for incursions, excursions and material items. The increase in fees ensures that our OSHC remains profitable as required by the Department of Education and continues to provide exceptional service, activities and experiences to our children. 

The OSHC budget is calculated to achieve a small surplus each year, to allow for unexpected costs and overruns, and the budget for 2024 with the increase in fees is in line with previous years surplus. In previous years, where OSHC has ended the year with a larger surplus, these funds have been transferred in lump sums to the school for projects around the school which would otherwise be unfunded, or on a long waitlist for funds from the department (with all the red tape that entails).

In comparison to other schools in our partnership, our OSHC fees are still mid-range. While we appreciate that this year's increase has been larger than normal, as it was substantially a result of the recent changes in wages and superannuation, we do not anticipate additional increases of the same level in future years.  For those who are eligible for the Child Care subsidy, the CCS will still apply to the new fees, and if you require further support like a School Card for School fees, please see the front office for more details.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the announcement, you can contact me directly at sam.neville@outlook.com.au or via the Governing Council email at cvpsgc.council298@schools.sa.edu.au.

Sam Neville

Governing Council Chair