19/08/2026
In amongst all our learning, we also found some time to ask the kids what a “second home” means to them and how we could make our space better reflect that. Together, we sketched, brainstormed and shared ideas and from those conversations (and a day's work), a fresh, purposeful space was born!
We know our environment is so much more than what surrounds us. It plays an important role in creating safety, security, belonging and connection, while encouraging children to explore, make choices, build relationships and simply be themselves.
With our refreshed environment now in place, we have been able to explore what is possible when our spaces are more flexible and responsive to children’s play. Rather than seeing our room as something that needs to look the same every afternoon, we can now adapt our environment to support children’s interests, engagement and play flow. Resources can move, spaces can change and different areas can be opened up or packed away depending on what the children need.
We know the best OSHC environments are not static. They respond to the children who use them. They change, adapt and grow alongside their interests, needs and ideas. This means that yes, you will notice we will now use our space a little differently, somedays it may even look like we aren't using it at all, but be assured we absolutely are, we're just simply exploring possibilities!
This was a special task that we are proud to have accomplished and perhaps the best part of it all was seeing the children’s ideas come to life. We love the awesome visions they share with us, but even more, we love what this process teaches them: that their voices matter, their ideas are valued and they have the power to influence the space they call their second home.
