Choice and Creativity at Outside School Hours Care
Annual Report 2025 – 2026
During the April school holiday program, children at CRCS Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) were invited to paint stones together. They chose colours in small groups, shared materials and brought their different creative ideas to the activity.
Lily had another idea. She wanted to paint independently on canvas and choose her own colours.
Rather than treating this as a refusal to participate, educators listened to what Lily was telling them. They explained that canvas painting was planned for the following Monday and reassured her that they would remember her interest. They then encouraged her to try the stone-painting activity with the other children first.
Although it was not the activity she had imagined, Lily decided to join the group. She painted two stones alongside the other children and took part in the shared experience.
When she finished, Lily returned to the educators and asked again about painting independently. Her preferred canvas was not available that day, so they talked through some other options together. Lily chose to paint on paper independently—a solution that allowed her to continue creating in her own way while working within the program’s available resources.
The experience was about much more than painting. Lily confidently expressed her preferences, listened to an explanation and helped negotiate an alternative when her first choice was not available. She also adapted to a change of plan and participated positively with other children.
For educators, it was an important reminder that children may communicate their needs and ideas in different ways. Taking time to understand Lily’s perspective turned a potentially frustrating moment into an opportunity for choice, problem-solving and connection.
By listening, responding respectfully and offering meaningful options, educators showed Lily that her voice mattered. At the same time, she was supported to manage disappointment, explore a different activity and balance her individual preferences with being part of a group.
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