About KOOSH Out of School Hours Care Service
Katoomba Out Of School Hours care service provides before school, after school and vacation care to families with primary school aged children, between 5-12 years of age. We aim to provide a high-quality care service to local families who require it while working, studying or in need of respite. We strive to create a safe, happy and relaxed environment where all families feel welcomed and accepted and we have been doing so for almost 40 years.
Our program consists of planned educational experiences and spontaneous unstructured play drawn from our interactions with the children. KOOSH’s child focused approach encourages every child to express themselves creatively and to feel valued.
KOOSH is currently located at Katoomba North Public School.
KOOSH Open Hours & After School KOOSH Bus
Before & After School Care: 7-9am & 3-6pm
Vacation Care: 7am-6pm
Pupil Free Days: 7am-6pm
We have a dedicated KOOSH bus, which is a 22 seater Toyota Coaster, and a KOOSH Van which is a 10 seater Hiace van. These take children takes children from KOOSH at Noth Katoomba Public School in the mornings to Katoomba Public School, St Canices and Leura Public School. In the afternoons, the KOOSH Bus collects children from Katoomba Public School and St Canices Primary School and travels back to KOOSH at Katoomba North Public School.
KOOSH staff are on board the KOOSH Bus and Van at all times. The cost of travelling on the KOOSH bus is included in our fees.
OUR INDOOR SPACE
KOOSH currently runs from Katoomba North Public School’s hall. It is an open-ended space which KOOSH staff turn into an engaging environment each day.
With the use of tables, chairs and mats, children can participate in a range of activities such as enough Lego to be seen from space, a visual arts and craft area, a quiet reading area with books, puzzles, plenty of board games and card games.
OUR OUTDOOR SPACE
Our outdoor space at the school has a large, grassed area and undercover COLA area. We have balls of every size, skipping ropes, badminton, hula hoops and other outdoor activities for children to engage with.
Our KOOSH staff organise games like soccer, cricket, hide and seek and tip. There are natural shaded areas amongst the trees where children can sit and relax with friends.
KOOSH Vacation Care Programs
KOOSH runs a Vacation Care Program each school holiday period at Katoomba North Public School. We only close for operation for 2-3 weeks over the Christmas period and public holidays throughout the year. Our holiday program is available for families by the end of week 6 each school term.
Excursions and Incursions
KOOSH provide a variety of incursions and excursions each vacation care period which are decided upon by children’s interests and ideas. Each term KOOSH staff ask the children what they would like to do in the vacation care period and if appropriate, source a way to make these activities occur. Some of our recent activities in previous vacation care periods have included Bubble soccer, an excursion to Luna Park, a mad hatters high tea party and a lap around Mount panorama and visit to the racing museum, all derived from the children’s imagination. These activities, whilst incurring an additional activity fee, are included in the amount reduced by the childcare subsidy.
Food and Drinks
Breakfast is available during Vacation Care for children arriving before 7:30am (cereals and Milo), however parents and carers are required to ensure children bring their own healthy food and drinks each day for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Please pack more than what you think your child requires to ensure they have enought o keep them going for the whole day.
KOOSH DOES NOT PERMIT LOLLIES, CORDIAL OR SOFT DRINK TO BE BROUGHT TO THE SERVICE. KOOSH IS ALLERGY AWARE AND A NUT FREE ZONE - NO NUT PRODUCTS OR NUTELLA PLEASE.
Payments
Fees for vacation care must be paid by BPay before holidays commence or onsite on your child’s first day via EFTPOS. Bookings cannot be accepted if your Before/After school care fees are not up to date.
Activity Program
Click on the program image below to view and download the activities program. You can also view and download a booking form below.
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KOOSH Care Costs & Enrolment Information
We do our best to keep costs as low as possible for families. Our 2025 fees are:
Before School Care: 7-9am $26.00 per session
After School Care: 3-6pm $36.00 per session
Vacation Care: 7am-6pm $62.50 per day plus fee for activity which is included in CCS reduction.
Pupil Free Days: 7am-6pm $62.50 per day per day plus fee for activity which is included in CCS reduction.
For more information on Childcare subsidy and hos to apply please HERE.
For an estimation of your gap fee, you can use the CCS Calculator HERE.
A fully refundable Bond of $100 per family is required. An annual equipment fee of $30 per family will be charged with your first statement at the start of each financial year.
TO ENROL YOU CAN EITHER...
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Complete an online enrolment form via our Hubworks website here >
BEFORE COMMENCING CARE PLEASE...
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Ensure your Childcare Subsidy Claim has been approved by Centrelink
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Provide us with a copy of your child’s up-to-date immunisation register statement and birth certificate via the online enrolment form or via email to koosh@belongbm.org.au
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Ensure you are aware of your childs CRN number and your own as we require these to apply CCS to your account.
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Ensure you have paid the required Bond of $100 per family
If you have any problems with enrolling online please contact the KOOSH Coordinator, Cate Harrison via email charrison@belongbm.org.au.
CONTACT KOOSH
Call us or send an Email
KOOSH OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE & VACATION CARE
Katoomba North Public School
Entry is via Mistral St, North Katoomba
KOOSH Coordinator
Cate Harrison
Tel: 0478 166 352
Email: charrison@belongbm.org.au
KOOSH Service Onsite
Tel: 0434 799 567 or 02 4782 2533
Monday to Friday
7am to 9am & 2.30pm to 6pm
Submit an Enquiry Online