Table 5 Themes derived from the coding process

A consistent approach to professional development

“sometimes it is just the co-ordinators getting the training and [they] have to communicate it back to the assistants and if they [the assistants] could access it themselves, they would have a better understanding of it all” (Participant 5).

“getting colleagues support and involved”^a

Definition of team roles

[we need] “team planning to ensure roles and ideas are sorted”^a

Limited budgets

“it is 75c per child per day…. if you had …. 35 [children] across the day ….times 5 [days]…. add on the delivery fee on top of that …. [the] budget would be about $130 per week plus $13 delivery….” (Participant 1).

Lack of policy awareness or involvement in policy development

[I would like] “to help head office write policy”^a.

Children’s allergies, intolerances and food preferences

A summary of participants thoughts (not direct quotes)^a:

This was noted as a key element required in the professional development so OSHC Professionals can respond appropriately to children’s likes/dislikes within the capacity of the available resources.