A good school holiday program does more than supervise — it gives children a structured, social, active break from school where they actually develop skills, friendships, and self-confidence. Choosing the right program in Bondi means asking seven questions that go beyond “how much does it cost” and “what time do you open.” This guide walks through the criteria that distinguish a memorable holiday program from a stretched-thin supervisory service.

1. What does the actual daily program look like?

The biggest variable between providers is what kids actually do each day. Three program models exist in Sydney:

Supervisory model. Free play with some structured games. Cheapest to run. Lowest engagement for kids who don’t self-direct.

Activity-rich model. Daily structured activities — one big morning activity, one afternoon activity. Mix of in-centre workshops and offsite excursions. Higher cost, higher engagement.

Camp model. Full programs centred on a theme (sport, performing arts, coding). Day-camp style. Typically charged at premium.

For most Bondi families, the activity-rich model fits best — kids get variety across the holiday period without committing to a single-theme intensive.

Ask: “Can I see your daily program for next holidays?” A quality provider has this published 4-6 weeks before the period starts. If the answer is “we’ll work it out closer to the date,” that’s a flag.

2. What are the staff qualifications and ratios?

The minimum NSW staff:child ratio for full-day school holiday programs is 1:10 for centre-based vacation care.

Quality varies considerably above the minimum:

• All staff Cert III ECEC qualified (above the legal minimum which allows some unqualified staff under supervision)
• Lead activities run by educators with specialist training (e.g. art workshops led by working artists, sport by qualified coaches)
• First Aid + Anaphylaxis training for all staff on duty
• Working With Children Check verified for every staff member (and any visiting workshop providers)

Ask: “What’s the actual staff:child ratio during the activity blocks?” Not the minimum the regulations allow.

3. What’s the excursion policy?

Most full-day school holiday programs include 2-3 excursions per week. The good ones:

• Have written risk assessments for each excursion location
• Use bus transport with seatbelts (some providers walk — fine for nearby venues, problematic for further afield)
• Have clear adult:child ratios for excursions (typically tighter than in-centre — 1:8 or 1:7)
• Offer in-centre alternative for children whose families don’t consent to a specific excursion
• Include excursion costs in the daily fee (no surprise levies)

Ask: “Are excursion costs included in the daily fee or charged separately?” The answer should be “included.”

At WAYS OOSH, every excursion (Climbfit, Symbio, swimming, etc) is included in the $95/day published rate.

4. How does the provider handle safety?

The non-negotiables:

• Sun protection. Sunscreen application schedule (typically every 90 minutes), sun-safe hats and rashie required for outdoor and swimming activities
• Medical incident protocol. Written policy, EpiPens stored onsite, staff trained
• Emergency procedures. Fire evacuation, lockdown, contact-tracing if a child wanders
• Adult supervision in toilets and change areas for younger children (with appropriate same-gender preferences for older children)
• Photography consent. Separate consent for social media use vs internal record-keeping

Quality providers will share their safety policies on request. WAYS OOSH safety policies are documented in the VC info pack.

5. What’s the age and group dynamic?

A school holiday program with 60 children aged 7-12 is structurally different from one with 30 children. Both can work — but they suit different children.

Larger programs (40-60+ children per day):

• More activity variety (more sub-groups can run different activities concurrently)
• More peer choice (your child can find compatible friends)
• Higher energy environment — may overwhelm sensitive children

Smaller programs (20-30 children per day):

• Calmer environment
• More 1:1 staff time
• Less activity variety
• May feel small to children who thrive in big groups

Ask: “How many children attend on a typical day?” Then visit during operating hours if possible to see the actual atmosphere.

6. Is the program a good fit for my child specifically?

Generic supervision works for any child. Good programs work better for some children than others.

Children who do well in activity-rich school holiday programs:

• Enjoy big-group structured environments
• Like trying new things (workshops, excursions)
• Have basic social confidence
• Can manage a full 8-10 hour day

Children who may not be the best fit:

• Highly introverted children who recharge by themselves
• Children with significant sensory sensitivities (loud environments, lots of transitions)
• Children with anxiety that hasn’t been worked on

For mixed fit (some yes, some no), trial a 1-2 day booking before committing to a full week.

7. What’s the cost after Child Care Subsidy?

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) applies to approved vacation care just as it does to After School Care. Most working Eastern Suburbs families qualify for 50-85% subsidy.

Bondi-area published rates for vacation care typically range $80-$110/day. After CCS, most families pay $14-$40/day.

WAYS Vacation Care:

• Published rate: $95/day
• After CCS (median Bondi working family): $14-$40/day
• Excursions included in the daily rate
• No bond or enrolment fee

To estimate your specific cost: apply for CCS, check your subsidy percentage, multiply by the published rate.

How WAYS measures against the seven criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s included in a typical school holiday program fee in Bondi?

A quality vacation care provider in Bondi includes: all in-centre activities, all excursions, breakfast (if BSC equivalent), afternoon tea, qualified staff supervision, and risk-assessed offsite transport. Lunch is typically packed by parents. WAYS Vacation Care follows this inclusion model.

What ages do Bondi school holiday programs cover?

Most centre-based vacation care covers 7-12 (Years 2-6). Some “kids’ camp” providers extend to 5-14 but with age-graded streams. WAYS Vacation Care is 7-12.

How early should I book?

Popular Bondi vacation care providers fill 2-3 weeks before the holiday period starts. For the December/January summer break and the July winter break, book 4-6 weeks ahead. WAYS accepts casual day-by-day bookings up to capacity.

Are school holiday programs safe?

Approved OOSH vacation care providers in NSW are regulated by ACECQA against the National Quality Standard. Look for a Meeting or Exceeding rating. Specific safety markers: WWCC-verified staff, anaphylaxis training, written risk assessments, parent communication mechanism. WAYS Vacation Care meets all these.

Can I do casual bookings?

Yes at WAYS — day-by-day bookings up to capacity. Some providers only offer full-week bookings; check before assuming.

Next Steps with WAYS Vacation Care

To see WAYS’ upcoming vacation period program (activities, excursions, dates):

• Download the WAYS Vacation Care info pack

To enrol or check availability for an upcoming holiday period: Sarah Vandermaat, WAYS OOSH Enrolments Officer, [email protected] or 0433 245 322.

For After School Care during term: WAYS ASC info pack.

About WAYS Vacation Care: Full-day school holiday programs for ages 7-12 in North Bondi. 4 holiday periods per year (April, July, September-October, December-January). Approved Child Care Subsidy provider. Run by WAYS Youth & Family — an ACNC-registered charity supporting young people 12-24 since 1979.

Sources & References:
– ACECQA — National Quality Standard for OOSH
– Services Australia — Child Care Subsidy
– NSW Education — School term dates