The Hours After School: Young School-aged Children's Care Arrangements and Extra-curricular Activities

The hours after school: Young school-aged children?s care arrangements and activities is a PhD dissertation that investigated how young children?s care arrangements and participation in extra-curricular activities are associated with their behaviour. Part of this study included exploration of the different models of Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) and the support available to OSHC coordinators. The study involved principals, teachers, children, parents, OSHC coordinators and staff from seven schools. The findings revealed that children who spent time in the care of their parents had lower behaviour scores (better behaviour) than children who were in full-time non-parental care. Children who participated in extra-curricular activities also had lower behaviour scores than those children who did not participate in these activities. Models of OSHC that provide coordinators with extra levels of support are more likely to deliver quality care to children.