One Tree Community Services

Our story began in 1973, when a small group of community-minded parents came together to create a safe place where children could play after school. This small group grew and by March 1975 became registered as the Out of School Child Care Association (OSCCA). OSCCA delivered after school care across Perth. In these early days, OSCCA was the main Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) provider, operating eight OSHC services and six vacation care programs.

In 1989 OSCCA was awarded a major tender to provide a Resource and Advisory Service to all Commonwealth funded childcare services in Western Australia (WA). This was a major achievement, which expanded our involvement with communities in Perth and across rural and remote WA. Our name changed to the Children’s Services Support Unit Incorporated (CSSU). Further funding was granted in 1996 for the support and set-up of approximately 38 Aboriginal crèches. During this time, we supported 3,583 Aboriginal Australians to find employment.

In 2001 CSSU developed a model of management for delivering childcare in the Pilbara. This drew upon years of research, social impact studies, steering groups, forums and planning initiatives. As a result of this study, we were approached to take on the management responsibilities of four long daycare services in the Pilbara. Other services soon followed.