Before & After School Care in Redland Bay
Compare 14 before and after school care options in Redland Bay: what the service covers, what to check before enrolling, and how our rankings work.
Before and after school care covers supervised sessions at either end of the school day, typically from around 6:30-7am until the first bell, and again from the final bell until 6pm or later. Most services run on-site at the school or bus a small group to a nearby centre, and they fill the gap for working parents who can't drop off at 8:45am or pick up at 3pm sharp. Sessions usually include breakfast or an afternoon snack, homework time, and a mix of free play, sport, and organised activities. Redland Bay families have 14 providers to choose from, ranging from school-run OSHC (outside school hours care) programs to independent operators serving multiple local schools.
What to check before you enrol
- Which schools it services: some providers only run at one school site, others bus between two or three.
- Staff-to-child ratios and qualifications: ask what ratio applies for the age groups your child will be grouped with.
- Vacation care: many families need the same provider to cover pupil-free days and school holidays, so check whether that's offered.
- Booking flexibility: casual bookings versus fixed weekly places, and how much notice is needed for changes.
- Food and allergy handling: whether snacks are provided or you need to send your own, and how allergies are managed.
- Cost after the Child Care Subsidy: ask for the out-of-pocket rate per session, not just the headline fee.
How our rankings help
We score every provider in this category on the same factors: reputation, responsiveness, consistency of service, and transparency around fees and availability, using the approach set out on our methodology page. For a side-by-side view of how Redland Bay's childcare centres compare, including this category, see our ranked guide to childcare centres.
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All before & after school care, ranked by score and relevance
14 businesses. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is before & after school care, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist. Filter and sort below, or open the full map view.
We may share your enquiry with partner providers who can do the work, and we may earn a referral fee. Our rankings are based on our published scoring method only, independent of any referral fees.
Common questions about before & after school care
- How much does before and after school care cost in Redland Bay?
- Sessions are usually charged per booking (one for before school, one for after), often somewhere in the $15-$30 range per session before subsidies. Most families are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, which is means-tested and can bring the out-of-pocket cost down substantially, so always ask a provider for their subsidised rate rather than comparing headline prices.
- How often do families use before and after school care?
- It varies from an occasional casual booking to five days a week. Many centres offer both permanent weekly places and casual spots, though permanent places are usually prioritised and casual availability can be tight during peak terms, so it's worth booking ahead if you know your pattern in advance.
- What should I expect from a typical session?
- Before school sessions usually cover breakfast, quiet activities, and drop-off supervision until the school day starts. After school sessions typically start with a snack, then a block of homework or reading time, followed by outdoor play, games, or craft until pickup. Programs differ in how structured the activities are, so ask to see a sample weekly schedule.
- How can I judge the quality of a before and after school care provider?
- Look past the marketing and ask about staff-to-child ratios, staff turnover, how they handle sick or injured kids, and how communication works day to day (an app, a diary, or just a chat at pickup). A short trial booking or a visit during operating hours will tell you more about the actual atmosphere than a phone call ever will.
Guides to choosing before & after school care
- Before and after school care: what to expect
How before and after school care sessions actually run, what a booking commitment looks like, and questions to ask before enrolling.
- Planning vacation care for the school year ahead
How vacation care bookings work across the school year, when to book, and what a typical program day looks like.