OP4290 The Open Polytechnic Out of School Care and Recreation Certificate

Level: 4
Credits: 40

Kia ora! Welcome to Open Polytechnic Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Certificate.

Out of school workers play a very important role in providing quality care and learning experiences for children aged 5 to 13 out of school hours. Here is your opportunity to get recognition for the important work you do in before school, after school and holiday programmes!

Endorsed by The OSCAR Foundation and approved by NZQA, the OSCAR Certificate is the only distance-learning programme offered in New Zealand for out of school workers. It leads to a qualification that recognises your skills in out of school care and recreation and that is highly regarded in the sector.  

The programme comprises two courses that will give you

  • Practical and relevant skills you can immediately apply to your work
  • The ability to learn without stopping work – studying through supported distance learning anywhere in New Zealand
  • Assignments that incorporate your work experience
  • Study that can be fitted in around your life.

Programme structure

To gain your certificate, you must pass the following courses:

Please note that 4290 is a pre-requisite for 4291.

Course availability

You may enrol at any time of the year.  Contact The OSCAR Foundation for an information pack.  (Contact details are below.)

Entry requirements

  • You must be at least 16 years of age.
  • You must arrange access to an out of school programme to meet the on-job requirements of the course.

Note:

Although there are no formal academic entry requirements, School Certificate English or at least 14 credits in NCEA Level 1 English (or equivalent) is recommended for successful study.

This programme is open to international students who are resident in New Zealand and whose permit or visa allows them to study while in New Zealand.  Students who enrol have 12 months to complete each course and will need to be resident in New Zealand over the period of their study.  This is so they can meet the on-job requirements of the programme.

Programme requirements

To gain your certificate, you must do the following:

  • Work in an out of school programme (as an employee or a volunteer) over the time of your study for at least:

     *  Three hours a week over at least two full school terms (or 20 weeks) in a before
         school and/or after school programme OR

     *  Thirty hours per holiday period, over at least two holiday periods, in a holiday
         programme.

  • Pass all the assignments.
  • Finish each course within one year of enrolling.

 Level of study

Level 4 (Find out about levels of study)

Hours of study

400 hours

You will need to spend 5-10 hours a week on study per course. This is in addition to the on-job time required.

Student support

You will get help from:

  • Your Open Polytechnic tutor and your out of school programme supervisor
  • The programme support pages on the Online Campus
  • The Open Polytechnic library
  • Other OSCAR Certificate students – talk to us about starting a study group in your area.  

What qualification will I get?

When you pass both 4290 Introduction to Out of School Care and Recreation and 4291 Extension to Out of School Care and Recreation, you will be awarded
the Open Polytechnic Out of School Care and Recreation Certificate (40 credits).

How do I enrol?

Contact our pre-enrolment agents, The OSCAR Foundation, at info@oscar.org.nz or freephone 0800 GO OSCAR (0800 626 7227).

What do I do now?

Request an information pack from The OSCAR Foundation. 

Other Information

To find out more about this programme, please contact the Programme Leader on freephone 0508 650 200 extn 5754 or by email.