Boost to NSW childcare shortage

Launch of Sherpa Kids provides new option for schools and families

New South Wales’ critical shortage of quality childcare options for families has been given a major boost with the introduction of Sherpa Kids.

A new and much-needed out-of-school-hours (OOSH) care program for children of working mums and dads, Sherpa Kids will partner with primary schools across the state to provide in-school care for students before and after hours, and during holiday periods on an occasional or full-time basis.

Based on the hugely popular Safe Kids in Daily Supervision – or sKids – program in New Zealand, Sherpa Kids already has operations in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, while the concept is also being launched in the United Kingdom this year where 17,000 primary schools across Britain will now have access to the award-winning program.

Sherpa Kids NSW Area Developer Ted Nguyen says the program will appeal to mums and dads who want more than just a babysitting service for their school-aged children.

“It can be extremely difficult for parents to find safe, structured and fun out-of-school-hours care for their kids that works around their busy schedules. Sherpa Kids provides exactly that service,” said Mr Nguyen, who is already on the lookout for extra staff to join Sherpa Kids and make a genuine difference in the lives of young people.

“Our focus is on providing primary school aged children with meaningful learning and recreational experiences that complement what they’re taught during normal school hours,” he said, adding that all Sherpa Kids team members who supervise children must be fully trained and qualified in first-aid, behaviour management and food safety.

“I can assure you we are not a babysitting service. We instead offer a whole new level of service for working parents to provide engaging out-of-school-hours care for their children.

“Importantly, we will engage with local school communities and dedicate ourselves to improving the outcomes for principals and teachers, while supplementing good parenting standards too.”

Mr Nguyen says Sherpa Kids will offer in-school care to students of partner schools from 7am on weekday mornings until 6pm in the evenings to ease the burden on parents juggling their working hours with school drop-offs and pick-ups.

From today, St Edward’s Primary School in Tamworth becomes the first school in New South Wales to adopt Sherpa Kids’ tailored OOSH program, with dozens more schools anticipated to sign on throughout the state in 2013.

St Edward’s Primary School Principal Gary McSweeney says the school is thrilled to welcome the Sherpa Kids program.

“As part of our commitment to provide high quality education in a safe and caring environment for all children, we have identified a clear need to provide parents with an out-of-school-hours care option to keep pace with the increasingly busy schedules of working mums and dads,” he said.

“Sherpa Kids satisfied the strict criteria we were looking for and will help us serve the educational and social needs of our students who require before or after school hours care.

“We are really excited about the introduction of Sherpa Kids into our school offering and believe the care program will benefit both parents and children alike.”

For more information visit www.sherpa-kids.com.au.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact
Ted Nguyen, Sherpa Kids NSW Area Developer, on 0431 231 931

ISSUED BY HUGHES PUBLIC RELATIONS: Please contact
Kieran Hall on (08) 8412 4199 or kieran@hughespr.com.au