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.
If the future of our communities rests with these young people, it is in good hands.
During the intensity of ex-Cyclone Alfred across South East Queensland over the past week, three of PCYC Queensland’s Emergency Services Cadet Units were activated to volunteer alongside their local SES Units and assist with filling sandbags for the community.
PCYC’s amazing Adult Leaders mobilised a workforce of Cadets to do the jobs that would usually be done by skilled SES volunteers, leaving the SES to tackle the big jobs of tarping roofs and dealing with emergencies in the lead up to this major weather event.
Our Somerset Unit was activated with the Local Cadet Coordinator at the helm, as well as Sergeant TJ Baker lending a hand.
What a wonderful contribution our young people are making to their communities – to say that we are proud of them, and of the Adult Leaders who are making this happen, is a huge understatement!
About PCYC’s Emergency Services Cadets
The Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) program is delivered in partnership with PCYC Queensland and Queensland’s Emergency Services, thanks to the support of Queensland Police Services (QPS) and Queensland Fire Department (QFD).
The ESC program is offered to young people aged 12 to 17 and usually operates out of an Emergency Service facility (such as a local SES headquarters or Rural Fire Service station). The Cadet ‘Unit’ is managed under the leadership and guidance of volunteer Adult Leaders with mentoring and activities from Emergency Services personnel.
The aim of the program is to provide young people with a safe, fun and inclusive environment that offers them practical life skills and leadership opportunities. Cadets are provided with a uniform and participation is free, we just ask Cadets to supply their own black boots. The program runs concurrently with the school year and a Cadet Unit will usually meet once a week during the school term. There are 25 ESC Unit locations across Queensland where Cadets are encouraged to explore a career in the Emergency Services, either as a volunteer or in a paid role.
For more information about your local Emergency Services Cadets program contact PCYC Somerset.
This week was unforgettable for many of the remarkable young people who participate in PCYC programs.
From Sunday through to Thursday, the NRL HOGs tour roared into five PCYCs – South Burnett, Goondiwindi, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Toowoomba. Each morning, NRL stars including Brad “Freddy” Fittler and Greg Inglis joined our young people for team-building activities and program sessions— and what a fantastic experience it was for everyone.
The engagement was outstanding and the young footy fans were given an experience they’ll always treasure. The success of the tour is a direct result of the hard work and dedication put in by our program staff, QPS partners and the youth participation teams. Coordinating such a huge effort takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work, and I’m very proud of the efforts of everyone at the clubs who made it all come together. I’m also appreciative of the time and effort the NRL put into these visits, and the genuine connection and engagement with young people which was visible to all who were there.
This week highlighted the strength of our partnerships and the impact we can have when we work together. I look forward to seeing this collaboration continue to grow in the future.
Thank you again to all involved for making this week a huge success!
The young people, who are engaged with PCYC Queensland’s youth programs, participated in team-building activities with NRL representatives including founder Brad Fittler along with mentors from PCYC and Queensland Police Service (QPS).
The HOGs Tour, now in its 14th year, is touring Queensland for only the second time, stopping at regional areas and championing the importance of rugby league and sport as a positive force in regional communities.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said the NRL HOGs team spending the morning at PCYC Toowoomba was a fantastic opportunity for the young people in the area.
“We are really excited for the team at PCYC Queensland to be working with our QPS partners and the NRL on this HOGs Tour, which really celebrates young leaders in Queensland communities,” he said.
“The young leaders involved are integral parts of their communities, they are very involved with PCYC and they truly embody the best of Queensland’s young people.”
Brad said the HOGS tour was a great experience for all involved.
“The NRL HOGS National Tour is all about connecting with and celebrating regional communities who are the fabric of our great game,” Fittler said.
“They register to play, watch our NRL & NRLW stars, and contribute so much to Rugby League. This tour is our opportunity to give back to them.
“We ride into town, invite all the juniors out on the field for a community clinic and provide them dinner.
“We visit local businesses in each town, including PCYC Clubs and Westpac branches, connecting with the entire community. I can’t thank our amazing partner Westpac for making this happen again in 2025.”
Cooling down is a vital part of a gymnast’s routine in the gymnastics hall, but sometimes we forget that cooling down is just as important as warming up!
After spending time on the floor, it’s important to let the body cool down from its high body temperature and heart rate. Cooling down immediately after a gymnastics class can also reduce the risk of injury and muscle soreness in the following days. The best way to cool down after your gymnastics class is to stretch.
Suggested Cool Down Routine
Standing Quad Stretch
Stand nice and tall. Lift your heel up behind you and grab it with your hand. Pull heel to bottom until you feel a stretch. Keep your knee pointed down to the ground and positioned below your hip. Hold for 20 – 30 seconds. Repeat on the other leg.
Butterfly Stretch
Sit down on the floor with the soles of your feet together. Grab ankles and rest elbows on knees. Push your head and your stomach down as far as you can. Hold for 20 – 30 seconds.
Closed Pike Stretch
Keep a nice straight back and straight legs. Reach forward pushing stomach to knees hold for 20 – 30 seconds
Shoulder Stretch
In a seated or standing position, reach your arm across your chest. Use the other arm to push up close to the body. Hold for 20 – 30 seconds. Repeat on the other arm.
Seal Stretch
Lay on your stomach with your hands on the ground just below your rib cage. Gently raise your upper body up until your arms are straight. Hold for 20 – 30 seconds.
All PCYC Queensland classes follow the Gymnastics Queensland syllabus which includes warm ups and cool downs.
If you miss the start of gymnastics class, your coach might ask you to warm up before jumping into activities. This is simply to keep you safe and make sure gymnasts don’t injure yourself themselves during class.
Discover more about our gymnastics program and register now!
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.
What do 19-year-old Ava Knihinick and 82-year-old David Gill have in common? They are both dedicated PCYC Queensland volunteers, showing age is no barrier when it comes to assisting the charity with its mission.
This National Volunteer Week, PCYC is celebrating the diversity of our wonderful volunteers: whatever their age, skills, or background, they contribute every day by helping the organisation build safer, healthier communities through youth development.
Across Queensland, more than 1700 volunteers give their time, knowledge, and energy to help PCYC Queensland deliver training, support and recreational programs targeting young people, and building some incredible relationships and community connections while they do it.
PCYC Queensland CEO, Phil Schultz said National Volunteer Week is an important time for PCYC Queensland to celebrate and highlight the diversity of the volunteering experience at PCYC Queensland.
“Our volunteers come to PCYC from all walks of life, do a huge range of jobs, and really are the backbone of our organisation,” he said.
“From retirees seeking to give back and connect with young people in their communities, to teenagers and young adults seeking the support and experience to forge a pathway in their careers – the stories of each of our volunteers are unique and inspiring.”
Ava Knihinick, 19, an Adult Leader in PCYC Queensland’s Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) program is one such inspiring volunteer. Ava has been involved in the ESC program since 2019.
Ava juggles her commitment to ESC with studying to become paramedic and working as a tennis coach. Ava believes her time as a PCYC volunteer has helped her gain the support and experience to pursue her career path.
Ava advocates for other young people (especially women) to enter the emergency services.
“I think it’s important for women to have mentors. It goes back to the concept of ‘if you can see it, you can be it’,” she said.
“Having role models is essential to show young women that it can be done. It gives young women confidence in themselves to achieve their goals and strive for success.
“The opportunities within PCYC Queensland are amazing and so are the people you meet along the way. It’s such a rewarding opportunity – I think it’s such a privilege to be part of the ESC program.”
At 82, David Gill is proud to be one of PCYC Queensland’s oldest volunteers. As a driver-mentor for the Braking the Cycle program for more than four years, David provides safe driving mentorship to young drivers seeking to gain their licence.
David said he gets great satisfaction from seeing the direct, practical outcomes of his volunteering in his community.
“The main reward for me is to see the young people I mentor get their licence – and go on to get the job they were seeking – it changes their lives and you can see them grow in confidence,” he said.
“It’s not often you can see the direct outcome of the organisation’s mission manifest itself. Volunteering with the Braking the Cycle program and seeing the community outcomes, really is at the essence of what PCYC Queensland is all about.”
About National Volunteer Week 2025: Connecting Communities
National Volunteer Week 2025 is celebrating the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.
Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. Join us as we explore how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.
Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building thriving and inclusive communities.
TWENTY-FIVE young men from across Queensland enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Monday, when they spent the afternoon with the Kangaroos: participating in team building activities, learning more about their idols, and simply talking.
The event was thanks to a collaboration with the Kangaroos, PCYC Queensland and Queensland Police Service (QPS), designed to foster mentorship, build relationships and inspire. The boys were selected through their involvement with PCYC’s youth development programs and for their potential as young leaders.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said this was an important event for the team as well as the young men.
“This sort of thing is really important for us, because these young fans are what it’s all about,” he said.
“The players know who they represent – and that’s these boys and their communities. It’s a privilege to spend time with impressive young people like this and see what the Kangaroos jersey really means to them.
“The team had a great time with the kids and gained as much as they gave. One of the most powerful things about sport is the connections it creates—that’s what it’s all about.”
The 25 young people were selected from five PCYCs across the state – Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Deception Bay, Palm Island and Rockhampton – due to their commitment to their communities and strength of character. They were accompanied by their club’s Youth and Community Program Manager, QPS officers who run PCYC’s youth development programs.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said all of the young people had been recognised for their involvement in their communities, and being role models to younger children.
“They, like all young men, really benefit from having meaningful interactions with positive role models, and spending time with footy legends they’ve only seen before on TV is something they will always remember,” he said.
“We are really grateful to the Kangaroos for today, and for the positive impact they will have on these young people.
“Through all of our programs, we know the lasting benefits of this kind of mentoring and skill building – learning about discipline, dedication and hard work can broaden perspectives and give them a sense of possibility that they will take home with them.”
QPS Community Safety Group Superintendent Rob Fleischer said QPS is committed to working with partners to take initiative in the early intervention and engagement space, to help change the lives of young people.
“There’s no doubt that these young men will head home and be the talk of the town, sharing their experience of mentorship with some of their footy idols,” Superintendent Fleischer said.
“An experience like this can change the trajectory of a young person’s life, simply by boosting confidence, self-reflection and provoking motivation to be the best individual they can be for their community.
“I can’t thank PCYC and the Kangaroos enough for working with us to make this day happen, it’s partnerships like this which have a real impact, and I know we all felt a sense of pride watching that play out in real time during this event.”
This year’s International Volunteer Day theme is Solidarity through Volunteering. Our volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, are from the age of 10 to 87 and represent over 84 different nationalities.
Amalie’s Story
12-year-old Amalie is one of a growing number of young volunteers putting their hand up to help at their local PCYC club. Amalie is heavily into gymnastics at PCYC Caboolture and is now a volunteer for the program.
Her mum, Marie, says Amalie’s confidence and self-esteem has blossomed since she began volunteering and can’t speak highly enough of her coaches Collette Watmough and Ryan McCarthy who have encouraged and mentored her on her journey.
Amalie is now working towards her coaching qualification when she is eligible next year.
Thank you, Amalie!
Paul’s Story
Paul Wright started his PCYC Queensland volunteering story in 2017 through PCYC Toowoomba. He has 9300 volunteer hours and has helped 150 participants graduate the program. Paul is passionate about volunteering to make a positive difference to the lives of young people.
Knowing that by volunteering my time, I have helped young Queenslanders gain a licence is very powerful to me, and I enjoy seeing our program participants develop both as drivers and people.
“Often, the young people I am helping are quite shy when they begin driving, but as time goes on, they become more confident both in their driving skills and themselves and start to come out of their shell. It’s amazing to watch this happen, and know you played a small part in helping build their confidence.”
The influence volunteers like Paul have on the young drivers they help has a long-lasting impact, with Paul sharing his most memorable moment from his time as a Braking the Cycle volunteer.
“I was walking through the local shopping centre when I saw a participant I had taken to get her licence. She was with her young daughter and told me that having her licence had changed her life. She looked at her daughter and said, “This is the man who helped Mummy get her driver’s licence”. Her daughter then gave me a big smile and hug, and hearing about the positive impact I had made through volunteering was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced.
“Additionally, volunteering keeps me both physically and mentally active, which is an added bonus!”
Thank you, Paul!
Julian’s Story
Julian was coming up to the end of his tertiary studies when he decided to gain industry experience through working in our Marketing & Fundraising team. He had some wonderful things to say about his experience and the PCYC Queensland team.
“Thank you to the Marketing & Fundraising team for welcoming me and giving me real world experience in our industry. Being part of one of Australia’s most reputable charities not only allowed me to learn, but contribute, develop and engage with the Queensland community through youth and community programs as well as supporting first nation peoples.”
Truly a courageous and giving organisation and would highly recommend interning or volunteering and help build a safer, healthier community!
We’re proud to say that Julian applied for a recently opened paid position within the team and was successful in his application. It’s fitting that his first day be today, on International Volunteers Day!
Thank you, Julian and welcome aboard!
