SUTHERLAND Shire Council takes the business of entertaining children during the school holidays very seriously.
In fact, its popular vacation care program run by the children's services department ensured hundreds of children were looked after, often while their parents worked during the July school holidays.
The council operates the centres from four locations: at Caringbah, Jannali, Lucas Heights and Miranda.
There are 270 vacation care spots available each day in the holidays, with some parents booking several days, at $46 a day (extra for some activities and excursions).
Free activities have included face painting and mask creations, making boomerangs and patting farm animals, going to movies and putt-putt golf.
There were 115 spots booked at Caringbah over the two weeks, including 21 on Monday's (July 15) staff development day alone.
At Jannali, 142 spots were booked; at Lucas Heights 130 spots were used and 140 were reserved at Miranda.
Sutherland Shire mayor Kent Johns said the council's vacation care centres had provided high-quality supervised child care for primary school aged children since 1992.
"It's a great option for parents who are looking for qualified carers for their children during school holidays," he said.
"The centres aim to provide a mix of excursions and site-based activities to cater for a range of interests.
"Most excursions are optional, which assists families on a tighter budget, and families may also be eligible to apply for the childcare rebate and/or benefit to reduce the fee."
Registration for the October school holidays is available on the council's website five weeks before the holidays.
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