Enrolling a child in approved After School Care (ASC) in NSW takes between 1 and 4 weeks depending on whether you’ve already applied for Child Care Subsidy. The process has five steps: apply for CCS, choose a provider, complete the provider’s enrolment form, register your child’s CRN/Customer ID with the provider, and start. This guide walks through each step with realistic timelines.
Have these ready before you begin:
If you’re a single-parent family, the activity test rules are different — check Services Australia for current rules.
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
CCS is a government payment that subsidises a percentage of your After School Care fees. Most working Eastern Suburbs families qualify for 50-85% off the published rate.
How to apply:
Critical: apply BEFORE your child starts at OOSH. CCS is paid from the date your claim is approved, so any sessions used before approval are at full fee.
If your claim is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation showing your CCS percentage (e.g. 65%). The provider applies this automatically to each booking.
Timeline: 1-2 weeks (can overlap with Step 1)
Use the eight criteria from our provider guide to evaluate options:
Visit 1-3 providers in person (most welcome 30-minute parent tours during operating hours). Confirm with each:
For WAYS OOSH in North Bondi, book a tour with Sarah Vandermaat: [email protected] or 0433 245 322.
Timeline: 1-3 days
Each provider has its own enrolment form (paper or online). At WAYS OOSH the form covers:
Have your child’s CRN and your CRN ready — without these, CCS can’t be applied to bookings.
Most providers ask for an enrolment fee or bond at this stage. WAYS does not charge a bond.
Timeline: 1-2 days after enrolment form
Once enrolment is processed, the provider sets up your account in their booking system. Common platforms in Sydney include:
You’ll receive an account invitation by email, set a password, and can then book sessions (casual day-by-day, term block, etc) through the app or web portal.
The booking system also handles statements, CCS reconciliation, and incident reports.
Timeline: same day as first booked session
On your child’s first day:
For the first 1-2 weeks, expect your child to be tired at the end of the day. ASC adds 3 hours of structured social environment on top of a school day — most children adjust within 2 weeks.
Pickup mechanics: at WAYS OOSH, the OOSH staff are responsible for collection from school until parent pickup. The first day, expect your child to brief you on the day in considerable detail.
Most NSW providers allow mid-term enrolment subject to capacity. WAYS OOSH accepts day-by-day casual bookings as well as term blocks, so mid-term starts are straightforward.
The CCS percentage applies regardless of when you start within the term.
Some children take 2-3 weeks to settle into a new ASC environment. This is normal. Signs that settling-in is going well:
Signs of a settling issue worth raising:
For WAYS OOSH, raise concerns with Sarah or Charlotte (OOSH Manager) — they’ll work with you on a settling plan, which may include shorter days initially, buddy pairings with existing children, or a brief Wellness Centre conversation if anxiety is present.
Services Australia typically processes CCS claims within 1-2 weeks. Allow 2 weeks before your child’s start date for safety.
Yes — but you’ll pay the full published fee for sessions used before CCS is approved. Apply for CCS first to avoid this.
You’ll need: your CRN, your child’s CRN, proof of identity for you and your child, your child’s immunisation record (AIR statement from myGov), activity test evidence, and any medical/allergy documentation.
In most cases yes — Eastern Suburbs providers often have term-by-term waitlists during peak demand periods (start of school year, terms 1 and 4). Casual bookings depend on day-to-day capacity. WAYS OOSH currently accepts both term and casual bookings — confirm availability with Sarah.
Yes. CCS transfers automatically when you start at a new approved provider. There’s no “lock-in” with most NSW providers though some charge a notice period (typically 2 weeks).
If WAYS OOSH is your chosen provider, the easiest starting point is the info pack:
To start enrolment or arrange a tour: Sarah Vandermaat, WAYS OOSH Enrolments Officer, [email protected] or 0433 245 322.
For vacation care during school holidays, the process is the same: WAYS VC info pack.
About WAYS OOSH: Out of School Hours Care for ages 7-12 in North Bondi. Approved Child Care Subsidy provider. Six partner primary schools. Run by WAYS Youth & Family — an ACNC-registered charity supporting young people 12-24 since 1979.
Sources & References:
– Services Australia — Child Care Subsidy
– myGov — claim Child Care Subsidy
– ACECQA — National Quality Standard
– NSW Education — school term dates
– AIR — Australian Immunisation Register
Our Family Information Pack covers fees, schedules, and what’s included — for both After School Care and Vacation Care.
See what afternoons look like at WAYS
Clubs, sport, art and homework help until 6pm — school pickup included.
WAYS Youth & Family (Waverley Action for Youth Services) was founded in Bondi in 1979 and has supported Eastern Suburbs young people and families for more than 45 years. WAYS OOSH is part of a registered charity offering wraparound youth and family services under one roof. Read our story or get in touch with the team.
