The Queensland winter school holidays are just around the corner — and if you’re a Moranbah family, you already know the annual puzzle that comes with them.

Work doesn’t stop. Rosters don’t change. And yet, for two weeks, school does.

Whether you’re a parent working in the mines, managing a local business, juggling a roster on shift, or navigating the particular demands of life in a regional Queensland community, the school holidays can be one of the most logistically challenging stretches of the year. That’s exactly why the Winter Vacation Care program at Moranbah OSHC exists — and why it matters so much to the families of Moranbah State School.

What Is Moranbah OSHC’s Winter Vacation Care?

Moranbah OSHC, located at Moranbah State School, is part of the Moranbah Early Learning Centre — a trusted provider of high-quality early childhood education and care that has been serving the Moranbah community for years.

During the Queensland school holiday break, our service transitions into Winter Vacation Care: a full-day program running from 6:30am to 6:00pm, designed specifically to keep school-age children engaged, active, connected, and cared for while their parents work.

It is more than childcare. It is a genuinely purposeful experience — one where every child is known, every day is different, and every meal is included.

Why Moranbah Families Need Quality Vacation Care

Moranbah is not your average Queensland town. Situated in the Isaac Region of Central Queensland and purpose-built to support nearby coal mines, the community is a mix of permanent residents and a significant fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce — which means the school holiday calendar lands differently here than it does in Brisbane’s suburbs.

For many Moranbah families, one or both parents may be on a mining roster that continues straight through the holiday break. Single parents, dual-income households, and families with a partner working away are all part of the everyday reality of life in this community.

That’s why our Winter Vacation Care program is built for real Moranbah families — not an idealised version of school holiday life, but the actual, busy, hardworking lives that people here are living.

We are here so you can be where you need to be, knowing your child is exactly where they should be, too.

What Does a Winter Vacation Care Day Look Like?

Every day in our Winter Vacation Care program is intentionally planned by our qualified educators — drawing on the interests of the children attending, the season, and the nationally-approved My Time, Our Place framework for school-age care.

Here’s a taste of what winter holidays look like at Moranbah OSHC:

🍳 Breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea — all included We know mornings in Moranbah are early. That’s why our doors open at 6:30am and breakfast is ready and waiting. Children eat nutritious, well-balanced meals and snacks throughout the day, without their families needing to pack a thing. We are fully supportive of special dietary requirements — just let us know your child’s needs at enrolment.

🎨 Creative arts and themed activity days From painting and craft to costume challenges and themed days, our creative program gives children the chance to express themselves, make things, and laugh their way through the holidays. School holidays should feel different from school days — and ours always do.

🏃 Active, physical play Moranbah’s July weather is arguably the best of the year — crisp, clear, and perfect for outdoor activity. Our educators ensure children spend meaningful time active and moving each day, supporting the physical development and wellbeing that the Australian Government’s OSHC framework highlights as essential to school-age care.

🤝 Social connection and friendships One of the most underrated benefits of vacation care is the social one. The Queensland Department of Education’s Early Childhood Education and Care guidelines recognise that OSHC services provide children the opportunity to grow their social skills and extend their learning in a supported environment. Children who might barely see each other during the school term get to build real, lasting friendships through shared holiday experiences.

📚 Homework support (after school care) For children attending after school care during the term, we provide a dedicated, supported space to complete school homework — because getting it done early means the rest of the afternoon is all theirs.

Who Can Attend Moranbah OSHC Winter Vacation Care?

Our Winter Vacation Care at Moranbah State School caters for up to 60 children per session, with priority of access given to children who attend Moranbah State School. If you have a child at Moranbah State School and you’re planning for the upcoming school holidays, now is the time to secure their place.

Queensland Winter School Holidays 2026: 27 June – 12 July (Source: Queensland Department of Education — education.qld.gov.au)

Don’t leave it to the last minute — places are limited and Moranbah families know how quickly spots fill up.

Child Care Subsidy Applies to Vacation Care

Here’s something many families don’t realise: the Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can apply to vacation care bookings, potentially reducing your out-of-pocket costs significantly.

If your child is under 14 and not yet in secondary school, you may still be eligible for CCS support during school holiday programs — not just during term time. Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to get a quick estimate of your potential savings.

Ready to Book Your Child’s Winter Holidays?

Don’t miss out on Moranbah OSHC’s Winter Vacation Care. Reach out to our enrolments team today and secure your child’s place for a holiday program that is safe, fun, nutritious, and built entirely around the families of Moranbah.

📞 Enrolments: 07 4855 3130 📧 enquiries@moranbahelc.com.au 📍 Moranbah State School 🌐 Enquire Now →

We look forward to welcoming your family to Moranbah OSHC this winter.

Sources: Queensland Department of Education — School Term Dates 2026 (education.qld.gov.au); Australian Government Department of Education — Outside School Hours Care (education.gov.au); Early Childhood Education and Care Queensland — Outside School Hours Care (earlychildhood.qld.gov.au); My Time, Our Place Framework for School Age Care in Australia, Australian Government Department of Education; Australian Government — Child Care Subsidy (servicesaustralia.gov.au); Moranbah community profile, Isaac Regional Council (isaac.qld.gov.au).