PCYC Queensland’s Fun Squad celebrated Children’s Rights Day last week – a Fun Squad initiative designed to spark conversation, empower children and inspire thought about rights, responsibilities, and what it all means.
Across Queensland, Fun Squads from Cairns to Goondiwindi held activities and conversations where children were encouraged to share what rights they have and what responsibility comes with them.
The initiative began as an idea from Children’s Rights Queensland ambassador and Fun Squad State Operations Manager Karly Sheppard and was an instant hit, inspiring some fashion with a message, kindness walls, and lots of insights. Rights discussed covered friendships, freedom, healthy food, rest, fun, happiness, love, safety and more.
Fun Squad General Manager Bev Book said it’s important that children feel heard and respected.
“This day was about more than just awareness. It was about empowerment too,” she said.
“When children are invited to give deep thought and consideration to their rights and responsibilities, they are better equipped to be confident and caring, great friends, keen learners and conscious of what feels right and what doesn’t. It sets them up for success.
“It was so wonderful to see all of our Fun Squad services embrace this so enthusiastically. Our teams create spaces where children feel safe and heard every day – and this just took it a step further.”
Fun Squad’s Children’s Rights Day is set to become an annual tradition after great feedback from Educators, children and families alike.
We recently announced the release of our first ever children’s book, designed specifically for use in our Outside School Hours Fun centers across Queensland. This innovative resource aims to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and attitudes associated with domestic and family violence, fostering a safe and supportive environment for all children.
Developed in collaboration with experts in youth services, domestic violence prevention, and education, our book is more than just a story — it’s a powerful tool for change. It encourages children to explore and understand their identities, while promoting self-worth and respect for others.
By integrating this book into our Fun Squad curriculum, PCYC Queensland aims to equip children with the knowledge and confidence they need to foster healthy relationships and reject harmful attitudes.
Together, we can cultivate a generation that values respect, empathy, and understanding.
The storybook and facilitation guide are now available for purchase. The storybook is available in print and digital (Kindle), and the facilitation guide is available in digital. We recommend purchasing both assets for use in an educational environment.
After two decades of service to children and the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) sector, Karly Sheppard has built a career grounded in fun, rights and real impact.
Now serving as State Operations Manager for PCYC Queensland’s Fun Squad program, Karly oversees a team of 700 staff and helps deliver care to more than 20,000 children across the state. But her journey began on the floor, and she still holds those early years close.
From program setup to statewide leadership
Karly’s OSHC story began in 2002 when she established the before and after school care program at Hills College in Jimboomba.
“I loved it,” she recalled. “Back then, it was basically a babysitting program. There was very little legislation and things were much looser. But I just loved working with primary school children. That’s never changed.”
In 2009, PCYC Queensland took over the program at Hills College. Karly joined the team and gradually moved through a series of leadership roles, from Area Manager to Regional Manager and now to her current statewide position.
Although she no longer works directly with children every day, she says the broader reach of her work is both powerful and humbling.
“I can influence 700 team members and 20,000 children. It’s amazing to feel like I can make a positive impact in all these lives with the work that I do.”
Child voice at the heart of Fun Squad
Karly played a key role in designing and launching Fun Squad, PCYC Queensland’s refreshed OSHC model. The initiative centres on play, engagement and inclusion, and it was designed with direct input from children.
“Some of the icons and characters the children came up with are now core parts of the Fun Squad branding,” she said. “Of course, all research shows that when children are engaged and having fun, their wellbeing is strengthened and their parents worry less.”
The program includes Before School Fun and After School Fun, both designed to match children’s energy levels and emotional needs at different times of day.
“Before school is more social and flexible. Children come in, they have breakfast, they might want to chill and read a book or draw,” she explained.
“After school is when it becomes more structured. We have a wide number of activities going. You might have up to 200 children coming through the door, and we don’t know what kind of a day they’ve had. We have to cater to all their needs and emotions.”
That flexibility includes providing space for movement, mindfulness, meals and even homework when needed.
Prioritising wellness and belonging
Karly said she’s proud of how far the sector has come in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, noting the integration of mindfulness, yoga and journaling into many PCYC programs.
“All of our services offer mindfulness or yoga or journaling and have a focus on wellbeing and belonging,” she said.
She is also an ambassador for Children’s Rights Queensland, where she supports children to learn about their rights and responsibilities, a role she describes as both meaningful and educational.
“It has been so wonderful to work with all of these children and find out what matters to them,” she said.
Leading with heart
For Karly, the core of her leadership is simple. It’s about how people feel.
“I am often guided by the great quote from Maya Angelou: ‘People won’t remember what you say or do, but they will remember how you made them feel,’” she said.
“That’s how I try to do my job and live my life.”
2025 is the year of the Fun Squad, the bright, bold new look for PCYC Queensland’s outside school hours services.
As the largest provider of outside school hours services in the state, PCYC Queensland knows what schoolchildren need to bookend their school days and fill their holidays.
Fun fuels minds, friendships, and when activities are fun and engaging, they can increase wellbeing, confidence, and boost curiosity.
“We have experience and research behind us, and children and young people are at the centre of what we do at PCYC Queensland,” said Fun Squad General Manager Bev Book.
“We know what matters to parents is that their children are happy and thriving in a positive, nurturing and inclusive space – and what matter to children is, are we having fun?
“The Fun Squad provides both. We focus on sustainability, friendship, leadership, inclusivity, wellbeing and community spirit.”
PCYC Queensland’s Fun Squad offers activities including pickleball, mindfulness, crafting, cooking, gardening and more, as well as the organisation’s leadership program for 5 to 11-year-olds, Cadet Club.
“Cadet Club is an incredibly popular leadership program which involves children learning about leadership, relationships, and emotional awareness. It also has guest teachers like community members, local Elders, and of course QPS officers – PCYC and QQPS share DNA,” said Bev.
“Our 750-person strong Fun Squad teams are backed by more than1,500 PCYC Queensland support staff, 2,700 volunteers and the Queensland Police Service. We are strong and well-supported.”
Fun Squad branding is bright and bold, to match the ethos of the program, and will be rolled out in all services across the state over the coming weeks.
Principal of Waterford State School Danielle Young said Fun Squad was like a home away from home for many of the school’s students.
“Having Waterford Fun Squad as part of our school community is amazing,” she said.
“Our students love heading to Fun Squad after school and I know our staff and parents are relieved of some of their stresses knowing that our Waterford Warriors are safe and sound and having an awesome time.”
For many children and families, the thought of starting Prep or ‘big school’ can be an equally exciting and daunting prospect. And for some, this also involves starting outside school hours care (OSHC) – meaning before school care, after school care, or both.
Whilst some children may be familiar with attending an early learning service already, we know that the progression from home to school is a huge step. At PCYC Queensland we recognise this is an important milestone for both children and parents alike, and we’re here to help you get ready for the transition.
Although most commonly known as a leading charity providing youth and community services, PCYC Queensland is also one of the state’s largest approved OSHC providers.
With over 100 services across Queensland supporting more than 25,000 children each year, our dedicated and experienced OSHC teams are with you every step of the way to help ensure your family’s transition to school and outside school hours care is a positive and successful one.
And the great part is, our OSHC families become part of the PCYC Queensland community, where you can access your local PCYC Queensland club and all the benefits it offers!
PCYC Queensland OSHC services value the importance of play in childhood, and we are committed to providing a safe and fun service for your child. All our OSHC services are tailored to each local community, and we develop programs that meet the needs of children, families and their schools. We know that each child, class and school is different, however we tailor our procedures to ensure a smooth and supportive transition from the classroom into our PCYC OSHC environment.
Each PCYC Queensland OSHC program is developed to include a balance of play, learning, respect, awareness, safety and leadership. We provide a safe and fair environment to allow all children to further develop school readiness skills including self-care, attention and concentration, physical skills, emotional regulation, and language, play and social skills. Our experienced and innovative Educators also support your children’s efforts to enhance their self-esteem and independence.
Mum of three Juliet Grigg loves PCYC OSHC, and all three children have attended the same service over the years.
“Our three children have all attended PCYC OSHC for before and after school care, and even during vacations. Our kids love it. It’s a great opportunity for them to spend more time with their classmates in a safe environment, and there are so many different activities for them to do and the carers are all dedicated and look after the kids so well,” said Ms Grigg.
“PCYC OSHC is so important for us as it allows my husband and I to work, knowing that our kids are being well cared for, and more importantly, that they’re having fun.”
In helping parents and children get ready for Prep and starting school aged care, at PCYC Queensland we believe there are several key elements involved in a successful transition, including:
Orientation
Become familiar with your PCYC OSHC service! We encourage you to visit the service, observe the spaces and meet the Educators who will be engaging with your child.
Preparing for the transition
New locations can be overwhelming! Where possible, we welcome and encourage new Prep children to attend vacation care during January to meet the Educators, make new friends and become familiar with a multi-age environment before school starts.
Parental engagement
We actively seek and encourage families to get involved in the service! Parents’ ideas, experiences and skills are greatly valued and enable us to extend each child’s interests, abilities and knowledge.
School partnership
PCYC OSHC works alongside your school to ensure a smooth and supportive transition, and Prep children are escorted to and from their classrooms in Before and After School Care to ensure they are supervised and supported to and from school.
Our experienced and supportive PCYC Queensland OSHC teams are here to support you and your child’s safe and happy transition to Prep and outside school hours care.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family into the PCYC Queensland OSHC community!
To find out more and how you can enroll your Prep child, please contact us today.
PCYC Queensland’s range of Jibbitz are available – and very popular!
Not only are they a bright, bold style statement, they are also a way for Fun Squad families to help support PCYC Queensland’s youth programs that are at the heart of our charitable mission.
Every Jibbitz sold will help fund programs that raise the gaze of young people through free diversion, development and leadership programs, making Fun Squad Jibbitz a simple, affordable way to help children take an active part in making their community a great place to live.
Small purchase. Seriously Fun style statement. BIG impact.
If you’re interested, head to your nearest Fun Squad to find out more!
Kids in the Kitchen is Fun Squad’s new program helping children learn about food, nutrition and cooking.
This program has been specially developed by a nutritionist to help Fun Squad children. Throughout the program, children explore a variety of fun and engaging activities that will teach them important life skills and help them make healthy food choices. Each week, Fun Squad children dive into different aspects of food and nutrition with both practical and theory-based activities. From learning about the food groups to exploring kitchen safety, and from creating delicious recipes to understanding the importance of balanced meals, this program is designed to be both educational and enjoyable.
Fun Squad’s goal is to make learning about food and nutrition exciting and accessible for everyone.
Get ready to have fun, try new things, and become a Menu Master!
Kids in the Kitchen is being run in Fun Squads across the state now. To learn more, simply speak to our friendly Educators at your local Fun Squad.
There’s just something about pickleball.
The fast-paced, easy-to-learn game has swept the world in recent years, attracting players who might find traditional court sports less accessible or challenging to get into.
That’s probably why it’s the perfect sport for Fun Squad, PCYC’s outside school hours programs with services right across Queensland – all of whom are – or soon will be – embracing pickleball.
“Over the past year, pickleball has spread across all our services and it’s easy to see why. Seriously Fun is our motto – and pickleball certainly ticks that box,” said Fun Squad General Manager, Bev Book.
“We find that children of all ages just love it, it appeals to all of them and it’s a great way for them to keep active.
“Our teams love it too – and play it frequently which is resulting in stronger teams working together to achieve our mission of safe and healthy communities.”
Kylie Morris, Fun Squad Gilston Service Manager, says the sport combines fun, fitness and lots of interpersonal skills, too.
“It’s a game that children of all ages have been able to play and understand, and it supports their development, leadership skills, cooperation and encourages positive sportsmanship,” she said.
“We have a strong focus on happy and healthy children that come to us to have fun, and this is all evident when they play pickleball.”
At Mother Teresa Fun Squad, pickleball is a relatively new addition, being introduced in December. It’s clear it is there to stay!
“Our children are really enjoying pickleball and all the fun that it brings,” said Service Manager Kayla McGee.
“We have seen a boost in morale amongst our children and team members, and things like sportsmanship, social skills and confidence are increasing.”
So successful has the rollout of pickleball at Fun Squad services been that more and more PCYC Queensland clubs are also offering pickleball to their members.
