perspectives & theories in OSHC

Bronfenbrenner - Ecological Systems Theory

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory helps OSHC educators understand children in context—how behaviour, wellbeing, learning, and belonging are shaped by multiple layers of influence (family, school, peers, community, culture, policy, and time). In this OSHC-ready module, you’ll learn the key systems in plain language, hear a creative “voice of Bronfenbrenner” narrative (educational purpose only), listen to educators plan how to apply the lens, hear an Educational Leader interview on mentoring team practice through an ecological approach, work through a realistic case study, and complete a critical reflection using the Circle of Change (revised) so learning becomes visible in everyday decisions and interactions.
Format

Online
Module

Author

Belinda Wright

Duration

45 - 60 Mins

Price

$
49

About the module

OSHC sits in a unique position in a child’s life: between home and school, inside community rhythms, and alongside family work patterns, culture, and expectations. Children don’t arrive as “just the child in front of us”—they arrive carrying relationships, stressors, supports, and transitions from multiple environments.

Bronfenbrenner’s lens helps educators move from “what’s wrong with this child?” to “what’s going on around this child—and how can OSHC respond well?” It supports teams to:
  • interpret behaviour through context (not deficit)
  • strengthen transitions and emotional safety after school
  • build partnerships with families and schools (where appropriate)
  • design environments and routines that reduce load and support regulation
  • notice inequities and barriers that shape children’s participation and wellbeing

Understand the systems

A clear introduction to the ecological layers (micro/meso/exo/macro + time) and what they help educators notice in OSHC.

See it in practice + leadership

Bring the theory to life through a “voice of the theorist” narrative, educator implementation dialogue, a real case study, and an Educational Leader interview on mentoring a context-aware approach.

Reflect → improve

Use the Circle of Change (revised): Deconstruct → Confront → Theorise → Think Otherwise, then consolidate in “What have I learnt?” with one next step to trial.

How this module works

This module follows a consistent, educator-friendly structure:
  • Introduction to Bronfenbrenner + What is Ecological Systems Theory?
    A plain-language overview with OSHC examples: the child’s immediate relationships, connections between settings, broader influences, culture, and the role of time/transition.
  • “Let’s hear from Urie Bronfenbrenner”
    A short creative narrative where “Bronfenbrenner” speaks to seeing children in context and designing environments that support development (educational purpose only).
  • Educator dialogue: implementing the ecological lens
    A realistic conversation between educators after completing the module—brainstorming how to:
    - interpret behaviour through transitions, relationships, and environmental load
    - strengthen arrival routines and emotional safety
    - partner with families respectfully
    - adjust expectations to match context and capacity
  • Interview: Educational Leader perspective
    A grounded interview focused on:
    - how an Educational Leader mentors educators to look beyond the moment
    - how to support team consistency around transitions and regulation
    - how to document observations in ways that include context (not labels)
    - how to build respectful partnerships with families and schools (where appropriate)
  • OSHC case study: context shaping behaviour and wellbeing
    A realistic scenario where a child’s behaviour shifts over time (e.g., after a family change, school stress, friendship issues, cultural obligations, or a new routine). Learners practise mapping influences across systems and choosing supportive responses.
  • Critical reflection (Circle of Change – revised)
    Deconstruct → Confront → Theorise → Think Otherwise to challenge default assumptions and redesign practice to better match children’s contexts.
  • What have I learnt?
    A short consolidation step to name key takeaways and commit to one practical change to trial.
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The “Let’s hear from…” section is a creative narrative designed for educator learning and is not a direct quote from published works.

What educators will be able to do after this module

Educators who complete this module will be better able to:
  • Understand behaviour and wellbeing through context, relationships, and transitions
  • Identify environmental and systemic factors influencing children’s participation
  • Improve arrival/transition routines to reduce stress and support regulation
  • Strengthen documentation by including context and patterns over time
  • Build respectful partnerships with families and (where appropriate) schools
  • Mentor team practice with a shared, child-centred lens that reduces blame

Who this module is for

  • OSHC educators who want a practical way to understand children beyond “behaviour”
  • Educational Leaders / service leaders mentoring teams to use context-aware observation, planning, and guidance
Ready to understand children more deeply by seeing the systems around them?

Belinda Wright

Founder | Director of Learning | OSHCologist | Researcher

I’m Belinda Wright—an OSHC practitioner, leader, and learning designer with almost two decades in the sector. I’ve completed a Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning & Leadership) and I’m currently completing a Master of Education (Learning & Leadership), with research focused on educational leadership in OSHC. This course is designed to make theory practical—so educators can use it to deepen observations, strengthen pedagogy, and improve everyday practice.