Children's services has experienced one of the biggest growth areas for Port Stephens Council over the past two years, with the number of children utilising Out Of School Hours (OOSH) care centres reaching an incredible 260.
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The service has also significantly expanded its catchment across the Port, opening its seventh facility at the Fern Bay Public School on July 22.
The council's children's services coordinator Lynette Fitz Henry said that the expansion had prompted the launch of a new brand, called Thrive Kids.
"We've been operating and delivering quality children's services to the community since 1982, but we found that our brand wasn't cutting through with our parents, carers, teachers and children. So we developed a new brand that would bring together all of our services."
Thrive Kids offers a range of services for children aged 5-12, including OOSH, family day care and mobile preschool.
Ms Fitz Henry said the number of OOSH centres across Port Stephens had increased from two to seven in the past two years. Existing centre are located at Fern Bay, Wirreanda, Medowie, Seaham, Raymond Terrace, Tomaree and Shoal Bay.
"OOSH offers quality care for children before and after school and is designed for working families. Centres open at 7am and close at 6pm and we offer breakfast and afternoon tea, along with a range of indoor and outdoor activities and games."
For Fern Bay's Rachel Boller, who has two children William, aged 9, and Charley, 6, the service has many advantages.
"I live in Fern Bay and travel into Newcastle for work each day, so it is very convenient for me to pick the children up after school time, whereas previously they would catch the bus or stay at a friend's place," she said.
"It means I don't have to rush home from work and that I can feel comfortable in the knowledge they are safe and having fun with friends."
Ms Fits Henry said that the council service was fully funded by parents fees, supported by federal government childcare subsidies and fees averaged around $15 a session.
The mobile preschool is a unique concept using a van which travels to five different venues in Port Stephens to help children get ready to start school.
"Family day care is a family-focused style of childcare. The educators provide care in their own homes, so it's for families who like a unique and small environment for their child," she added.
