For many children, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) is where the school day begins and ends. It is a place where learning continues through play, curiosity, friendships and new experiences.
For Olivia Stocker, helping children experience a sense of belonging, fun and connection during those hours is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.
As Service Coordinator at Good Shepherd Outside School Hours Care in Rasmussen, Olivia has spent the past six years working in school age education and care, helping children develop confidence, independence and meaningful social connections through play.
Finding her place in education
Olivia always knew she wanted to work with children.
“From a young age, I have always had a passion for working in education,” she said.
After joining an OSHC service at just 18 years of age, she quickly discovered an environment where she felt she could make a genuine difference.
“I very quickly fell in love with the environment and the ability to watch young minds learn and grow through the joy of play.”
What began as a first job soon became a career. Recognising the important role educators play in school age care, Olivia invested in her professional development and undertook further studies, completing a Diploma of School Age Education and Care in 2023.
The qualification complemented the practical experience she had developed over six years as an educator of school aged children and strengthened her capacity as an educational leader as she progressed to the role of Service Coordinator.
For Olivia, one of the most rewarding aspects of the role is seeing the learning and development that occurs beyond the classroom.
“OSHC allows children to develop creativity, imagination, social connections and independence,” she said.
“It gives them opportunities to grow, learn and explore through play.”
Small moments can matter most
Throughout her career, Olivia has worked with children from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Some of the children who have left the biggest impression on her are those who have faced significant challenges outside their control.
“Working with children and families who have experienced difficult circumstances can be hard,” she said.
But she has learned that sometimes the smallest interactions can have the greatest impact.
“It may only be five minutes, but if I can give a child a positive memory for their day, then that matters.”
For Olivia, every child deserves to feel seen, heard and valued.
“The most important thing I can do as an educator is show children that they are seen and that they are heard,” she said.
“Every child is different, and making sure they feel welcome and supported is incredibly important.”
Building a community of care
Creating a strong sense of community is one of the things Olivia values most about working in Catholic education. She speaks warmly about the support network that exists between educators, services and schools, and the opportunities to share ideas and learn from one another.
“Having such a strong community helps us grow and support our services and children,” she said.
That sense of connection extends to children and families alike, helping create an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported.
Helping children grow
Olivia believes Catholic education plays an important role in helping children grow not only intellectually, but socially, emotionally and spiritually.
By embedding values such as compassion, dignity, justice and service into everyday experiences, Catholic education helps children develop empathy, build positive relationships and understand their responsibility to others.
For Olivia, those lessons often begin in the simplest ways. A warm welcome at the end of a school day. An invitation to join a game. A conversation that helps a child feel heard. A space where children know they are safe, accepted and free to be themselves.
At Good Shepherd OSHC, she strives to create an environment where children can play, laugh, create, take risks, build friendships and develop confidence in who they are.
While the hours before and after school may seem small in the context of a child’s day, Olivia knows they can have a lasting impact on a child’s wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging.
That is why she believes the most important work often happens in the everyday moments.
A child feeling included.
A friendship being formed.
A smile after a difficult day.
Because sometimes the greatest difference an educator can make is helping a child know that they are seen, heard and valued.