To the OSHC, OOSH & SAC educators who hold space in the margins... before school, after school and in-between.
This is your day.
But truly, every day you deserve recognition.
You do more than supervise.
You co-construct playful, engaging and dynamic environments.
You walk beside children and young people during a critical time in their development.
Not quite early years anymore. Not yet teenagers.
These middle years are big years.
Physically, emotionally, socially - children are changing fast. And you're right there in the thick of it.
You're not just educators.
You're translators of playground politics, interpreters of fast-evolving slang.
Keepers of fairness, freedom, and boundaries.
The ease of a morning after a rushed start. The calm after a hard school day. The encouragers after a hard moment.
The steady hand in multi-age dynamics. The coach and mediator for friendship hiccups.
The trusted adult who's not quite school, not quite home - but always there.
And in between all of that...
You hear...
"Can you cut my apple but not like last time"
"We're not fighting... we're just not talking to each other until tomorrow"
"Can I be in charge of the rules, even though I don't want to play?"
"I invented a new game. You have to learn it. The rules change every round".
And somehow, you do learn the game.
You remember who prefers apples sliced, not wedged.
You laugh, hold the line, debrief and do it all again tomorrow.
You partner with families, often helping them navigate complex systems.
You honour children rights. You advocate.
You guide with care.
You hold stories, create safety and offer consistency - in a world that doesn't always do the same.
And let's talk about the young people, the "seniors".
The ones who are testing the edges of autonomy.
Who want independence, but still need connection.
Who might roll their eyes at our check-ins, question every limit, swear around us - and sometimes, at us.
They can be loud. Withdrawn. Resistant.
But you still show up.
With boundaries, compassion, humour and heart.
You see them, even when it feels like they make it hard.
You offer safety and belonging, even when they don't' have the words to ask for it.
That matters more than they'll every say out loud.
And please - never underestimate the significance of a kind word. A genuine hello. A curious question.
When you ask for their ideas - and truly listen - you're telling them they matter.
When you invite them to co-create their OSHC experience - their childhood - you're not just "doing your job."
You're nurturing identity. Honouring rights. You're creating something real.
More than half of my career has been built in the OSHC sector.
I, too, have walked this path.
I've stood in that noisy hall. Held the clipboard, iPad and the chaos.
I've been sworn at, leaned on, laughed with and trusted.
I've seen the quiet magic of this work - and the unseen labour.
And I remain deeply committed to every one of you who walks this road with courage, humour and care.
This is relational work.
Emotional labour.
Professional judgement.
This is real, critical, identity-shaping work.
And it must not be taken lightly.
So today, we pause to thank you.
Thank you for your presence.
Thank you for your persistence.
Thank you for co-constructing not just a program - but belonging, identity and a space for children and young people to just be.
It's their time, our space.
Let's keep showing up - with curiosity, with courage and with care.
You matter. Your work matters. And we see you.
Happy OOSH and OSHC Educators Day.
Author Annette Johnson