Banmira Care assistant manager Jessica Benton with Charlie Senini and Xavier Castle.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
A group of students hang at the gate, bouncing from foot to foot.
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With the same pent-up anticipation as one might feel standing at the front barricade of a Taylor Swift concert or a grand final that could break their team’s drought, they wait to enter Banmira Care.
Banmira Care, a branch of Banmira Specialist School, is a fully government-funded high-intensity Outside School Hours Care offering a lifeline for families who struggle to access mainstream care.
“We provide a caring, nurturing environment that allows kids to engage in leisure activities as they want,” manager Lauren Daws said.
“They can play and just be kids after school.”
Despite only launching this year, 15 students aged five to 18 have thrived in the space.
They have ridden bikes, played games, crafted, role-played, cooked, and engaged in outdoor activities like water play.
It’s a hearty offering, and it’s not done without a meal to match.
Providing nutritious food is a key aspect of the service, with staff working closely with parents to create a menu that caters to each child’s individual tastes.
“We try to individualise our program as much as we can,” assistant manager Jessica Benton said.
“It is very much guided by what the kids like and would like to do; if they’ve got an idea, we’ll work with them to bring it to life.”
Judd Keenan and Banmira Care assistant manager Jessica Benton.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Many staff members are school personnel who work with students during the day, ensuring continuity of care and a smooth transition from school to the service.
For this reason and more, Banmira Care has been widely praised by parents and children alike.
“Many parents have seen a big change in their children already and expressed thanks for the difference this service has made in their lives,” Lauren said.
“Kids who were once reluctant or nervous, now feel like the space is their own – they’re making it their own and contributing to it, which is really special to see,” Jessica said.
Banmira Care is available to all students at Banmira Specialist School, with a capacity of up to 24.
Interested families can contact the school to enrol their child.
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