KOOSH Care
Supporting local families with out-of-school-hours care and vacation care for over 40 years.
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What is KOOSH?
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.
Where and when does it run?
KOOSH is located at Katoomba North Public School and is open for children during the following hours:
Before & After School Care: 7-9am & 3-6pm
Vacation Care: 7am-6pm
Pupil Free Days: 7am-6pm
What are the facilities like?
KOOSH is runs in the Katoomba North Public School 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 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.
Is transport available to and from school?
We have a dedicated KOOSH bus, which is a 22 seater Toyota Coaster, and a KOOSH Van which is a 10 seater Hiace van.
Our KOOSH buses take children takes children from KOOSH at North 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.
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What does Vacation Care offer?
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.
Are food and drinks provided?
Breakfast is available during Vacation Care for children arriving before 7:30am (cereals and Milo).
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 enough to keep them going for the whole day.
Please note: We do not permit lollies, cordial, soft drink, nuts or nut products such as peanut butter and nutella.
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What are the costs?
We do our best to keep costs as low as possible for families. Our 2025 fees are:
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Before School Care: 7-9am $26.00 per session
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After School Care: 3-6pm $36.00 per session
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Vacation Care: 7am-6pm $62.50 per day plus fee for activity which is included in CCS reduction.
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Pupil Free Days: 7am-6pm $62.50 per day per day plus fee for activity which is included in CCS reduction.
You can find more information on Child Care Subsidy and how to apply here. For an estimation of your gap fee, you can use the Child Care Subsidy 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.
How do you book?
To enrol your child at KOOSH, please complete an online enrolment form via our Hubworks website here
To complete your enrolment 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 enrolling online please contact:
Cate Harrison
KOOSH Coordinator
Email: charrison@belongbm.org.au
Phone: 0478 166 352
More Information
The Belong Blue Mountains KOOSH Team is based at:
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 On Site
Tel: 0434 799 567 or 02 4782 2533
Monday to Friday
7am to 9am & 2.30pm to 6pm
Interpreters:
We access the National Translating and Interpreting Service.
Feedback or Complaints:
We welcome feedback to improve our services. Please contact us at the above contact details or by submitting an message via our website. Go to our contact us form >
Alternatively, for feedback or complaints, you can access the following services:
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission: 1800 951 822
Older Persons Advocacy Network: 1800 700 600
Commonwealth Ombudsman: 1300 362 072