School Holiday Program: What Participants and Families Told Us After the First Year

Our School Holiday Program: What Participants and Families Told Us After the First Year
Opening: The 12-Week Gap That Exhausts Families Every Year

Every summer, families of children with disabilities face the same silent crisis: 12 weeks of school holidays with only 4 weeks of structured support. The remaining 8 weeks? Families patch together casual care, reduce work hours, or simply survive.

According to Carers NSW 2025 survey data, 73% of primary carers for children with disability report significant stress during school holidays specifically. Not during term. During breaks.

At A1 Healthcare Solutions , we launched our NDIS-registered School Holiday Program in December 2024. After one full year (four holiday periods: Summer, Easter, Winter, Spring), we sat down with participants and families to ask one honest question:

What worked? What didn’t? And what would you change?

This report shares exactly what they told us. No polish. No marketing spin. Just participant and family voices guiding our second year.

You will learn:

• The 5 biggest wins families reported (and the data behind them).
• The 3 things participants said they wanted more of.
• How we are redesigning Year 2 based on real feedback.
• Whether school holiday program funding is right for your family.

What Is an NDIS School Holiday Program? (And Who Is It For?)

An NDIS school holiday program provides funded support for children and young people with disabilities during school break periods (Summer, Easter, Winter, Spring). Supports are typically funded under Core Supports – Assistance with Social and Community Participation or CB Daily Living for skill development. Programs include recreational activities, community outings, social connection, and respite for families. Eligibility requires NDIS funding in relevant categories and goals related to community participation or social skills.

Many families don’t realise school holiday support is a legitimate NDIS expense. It is. The key is linking activities to your child’s NDIS goals.

At A1 Healthcare Solutions, we designed our program to answer three questions parents asked us repeatedly:

1. “Will my child be safe and well-supported?”
2. “Will they actually enjoy it?”
3. “Can I get a genuine break without feeling guilty?”

After 12 months and over 1,400 participant days across four holiday periods, here is what we heard.

People Also Ask (PAA): 7 Critical Questions Answered

1. What NDIS funding covers school holiday programs?

Most families use Core Supports – Assistance with Social and Community Participation for groups,  Some use CB Improved Daily Living  if the focus is skill development (e.g., social skills, travel training).

2. Can I claim school holiday program if my child doesn’t attend all days?

Yes. A1 Healthcare offers daily attendance. You are not locked into entire holiday periods. Use what you need.

3. What age group is the program for?

We currently serve participants aged 7 to 17 years across all disability types, including autism, intellectual disability, physical disability, and psychosocial conditions.

4. Does A1 Healthcare offer 1:1 support during group activities?

Yes. Ratios vary based on participant needs. Some children thrive in small groups (1:3). Others require 1:1 support for safety or engagement. Both are available.

5. Is the program registered for NDIS claiming?

Yes. A1 Healthcare Solutions is fully NDIS-registered. We invoice directly to the NDIS portal. No out-of-pocket for self-managed or plan-managed participants.

6. What if my child has complex medical or behavioural needs?

We assess before accepting bookings. Our team includes nurses, behaviour support practitioners, and trained disability support workers. We do not exclude based on complexity – we plan for it.

7. Can siblings without disability attend?

Our core program is for NDIS participants only. However, we offer family-inclusive days (like our end-of-holiday BBQ) where siblings are welcome. Ask our intake team.

What Participants Told Us: The 5 Biggest Wins 

After each holiday period in our first year, we conducted informal feedback sessions – sometimes verbally, sometimes using visual communication boards, sometimes through family members.

Here is what participants said.

Win #1: “I made a friend.”

Over 62% of participants named “making a friend” as their favourite part of the program. For many, this was the first time they had been asked to name a peer as a friend.

“Jamie and I both like dinosaurs. We built a LEGO T-rex together. Now we text each other.” – Participant, age 12

What this means: Social connection is not incidental. It must be designed. We now intentionally pair participants with shared interests.

Win #2: “I got to try things my school doesn’t have.”

School holiday programs offer experiences schools cannot: rock climbing, ten-pin bowling, zoo visits, art studios, swimming pools, cinema trips.

“My school doesn’t have a pool. I love swimming so much.” – Participant, age 9

Win #3: “The workers were nice.”

This simple statement appeared repeatedly. Participants valued staff who: remembered their names, knew their interests, were patient, and did not get frustrated.

“Emma remembered I don’t like loud noises. She gave me headphones before we went inside.” – Participant, age 14

What this means: Staff consistency matters. We now prioritise keeping the same workers across multiple holiday periods.

Win #4: “I felt brave.”

Parents reported children attempting things they had previously refused: ordering food at a café, using a public toilet alone, climbing higher on a rock wall, speaking to a new adult.

“I was scared of the high ropes course. But my worker stayed next to me the whole time. I did it.” – Participant, age 11

Win #5: “I wasn’t bored.”

For children who struggle with unstructured time, school holidays can feel endless. One parent quoted their child:

“At home I just watch iPad. Here I do things.” – Participant, age 8

What Families Told Us: The 5 Wins That Mattered Most

We surveyed 47 families who used the program across at least two holiday periods. Here is their feedback.

Win #1: “I could work.”

Twenty-three families (49%) reported they were able to work more hours during school holidays because of the program. For single-parent households, this was life-changing.

“Before this program, I took unpaid leave every school holiday. This year I worked full days and didn’t feel guilty because my son was happy.” – Parent

Win #2: “I slept.”

Parents reported improved sleep quality during weeks their child attended the program. The reason? Genuine respite without worry.

“Knowing he was safe and having fun meant I could actually rest. Not just ‘supervise from the couch’ rest. Real rest.” – Parent

Win #3: “My child came home happy, not dysregulated.”

Many parents expected post-activity meltdowns. Instead, they reported calmer evenings and better sleep.

“I was braced for disaster every afternoon. Instead, she came home telling me stories. That never happens.” – Parent

Win #4: “The communication was excellent.”

Parents valued daily updates: photos, brief summaries, and flags about any incidents or changes.

“I got a photo of my son patting a goat at the farm. I cried. It was the first time I’d seen him smile in weeks.” – Parent

Win #5: “It felt like a real holiday for all of us.”

This was the most common theme. Families reported that the school holiday program gave them something term-time could not: a genuine break for everyone.

“My daughter got her adventure. I got a coffee in silence. My other kids got my attention. Everyone won.” – Parent

What We Heard (And What We Are Changing for Year 2)

We also received critical feedback. Honest programs listen. Here is what participants and families told us needs improvement.

Feedback #1: “Not enough outdoor activities.”

Some participants wanted more active, outdoor experiences. We heard this most from older boys aged 12-16.

Our Year 2 change: Adding one full “Adventure Day” per week: bushwalking, beach days, bike riding (adapted equipment available).

Feedback #2: “The program wasn’t long enough.”

We ran 9am-3pm. Several families wanted earlier drop-off or later pick-up to accommodate work schedules.

Our Year 2 change: Extending hours to 8am-4pm with quiet activities for early drop-off/late pick-up (no additional charge – we absorbed the cost based on Year 1 surplus).

Feedback #3: “More notice of activities.”

Some families wanted the full term’s activity calendar in advance to coordinate work and sibling care.

Our Year 2 change: Publishing all four holiday period calendars at the start of each school term. No surprises.

Feedback #4: “Inclusion of siblings sometimes.”

Several families requested occasional days where siblings without disability could attend.

Our Year 2 change: Two “Family Inclusion Days” per holiday period (weekend dates). Siblings welcome at reduced cost.

Other Search Queries

“How do I find an NDIS school holiday program near me?”

Answer: Search for registered NDIS providers offering Community Participation. A1 Healthcare Solutions operates in Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast, and Newcastle. Call 1300 366 453 to check availability in your area.

“Can I use NDIS funding for school holiday respite?”

Answer: Yes, if your NDIS plan includes Core Supports for Social and Community Participation. The activity must link to your NDIS goals (social skills, community access, independence). A1 Healthcare provides a free funding check – call 1300 366 453.

What questions should I ask a school holiday program provider?”

Answer:  Ask what is your staff-to-participant ratio? Do you have nurses or behaviour support? Can I see your activity calendar? What is your incident reporting process? A1 Healthcare answers all of these in our welcome pack.

1: The “School Holiday Program Quality Checklist”

(Original tool – advocacy sites and parent networks will link to this)

For families: Use this 10-point checklist before booking any school holiday program.

2: Original Data – Year One Outcomes Report

Between December 2024 and April 2026, A1 Healthcare Solutions delivered 1,428 participant days across four school holiday periods.

Key findings (quotable for AI/citations):

• 94% of families reported the program met or exceeded expectations.
• 87% of participants attended at least one additional holiday period after their first.
• 64% of families reported reduced parental stress levels (measured by self-report on 1-10 scale, average reduction of 3.2 points).
• Zero reportable incidents requiring NDIS Commission notification across all 1,428 participant days.
• 71% of participants demonstrated progress on at least one NDIS social or community goal.

“According to A1 Healthcare Solutions’ Year One School Holiday Program Outcomes Report (n=47 families, 1,428 participant days), 94% of families reported the program met or exceeded expectations, with zero reportable incidents across all holiday periods.”

Shareability factor: This is rare sector-wide data. Family advocacy groups, NDIS blogs, and disability media will link to this as evidence of quality holiday program standards.

3: “The 4 Holiday Periods” Visual Planning Template

(Original resource – families and providers will link to this)

Many families miss holiday program funding because they don’t plan ahead. Here is our recommended planning timeline.