Award for building confidence in kids

Susannah Taylor (left) and Anastasia Sillick (right) present June Claunch with the OSCAR Foundation's Award.

June Claunch has won the Auckland regional award of the OSCAR Foundation (Out of School Care and Recreation) for her after-school care service.

The award was attributed for the best new programme in Auckland in 2010.
Mrs Claunch owns and manages the ‘Safe Kids in Daily Supervision’ (sKids) service at Sylvia Park in Mt Wellington.

On behalf of the foundation, Susannah Taylor and Anastasia Sillick presented the award.
Ms Sillick said June had shown evidence of instilling confidence in children under her care, which has lead to a high level of improvement in their studies and general well being.

Since Mrs Claunch joined the sKids organisation three years ago, she has found the experience to be totally absorbing.

“I have come to realise that we can make a huge difference to the lives of young children.

“We have a three-hour period in the day where we can make a real difference, rather than just babysit them,” she says.

Dawn Engelbrecht, managing director of the sKids network, says the organisation has expanded from fewer than 20 to over 60 schools since 2006 and now has an Australian office.

The programme includes a nutritious snack for children, supervised homework assistance and special interest studies.