School Holidays
Our school holidays skills program is for kids who are still attending primary or high school and are on break.
What We Focus On
The holiday program shares the same four foundations as everything we do at Peppermint Place — because school holidays don't mean a break from growth. If anything, the relaxed environment makes it easier.
Social Skills
Real friendships, built through real experiences
There are plenty of natural opportunities for kids to engage with each other. Our team actively facilitates group play and connection, noticing who might click and gently making those moments happen. For many participants, the holiday program is where some of their most meaningful peer relationships develop.
Communication Skills
Every voice welcome — in whatever form it takes
Whether your child communicates verbally, through AAC, with pictures or through behaviour, we meet them exactly where they are. The holiday program gives us extended time together — and that means more opportunities to support, expand and celebrate communication in ways that feel natural and pressure-free.
Self-Regulation
Big feelings, met with calm support
A change in routine can bring big feelings — and we get that. Our team is experienced in supporting participants through the emotional landscape of a holiday program environment, using individualised strategies to help each person feel safe, settled and ready to engage. The physical environment helps, too, with plenty of sensory and gross-motor options available all day long.
Self-Expression
Because holidays should actually be fun
Free play is a feature here, not an afterthought. Throughout the day, there's space to choose what they want to do, explore what they love and just be themselves. Whether that's craft, a movie, water play, outdoor adventure or something entirely self-directed — this is their time, and we celebrate that.
School Holidays, Sorted — In The Best Possible Way
Engaging, flexible holiday programs for children and teens with disabilities. Skill-building, connection and plenty of fun — all in a safe, familiar environment they'll actually love being in.
The Peppermint Place Holiday Skills Program runs every school holiday period and is so much more than a place for your child to be while school is out. It's a genuine capacity building program — packed with activities, supported by a team who knows how to meet each child where they're at, and designed to make every participant feel excited to walk through the door each morning.
How Does It Work
The Day
Families drop off from 8:30am and can collect any time up to 3:30pm. There's no transport provided for the holiday program, so drop-off and pick-up is managed by families directly.
Each day is a mix of facilitated group activities and free play — with our team weaving through both, sparking conversations, encouraging connections and supporting participants to engage at whatever level feels right for them. Think craft, outdoor gross motor play, water play, movies, games and more. We also run some special in-house activities throughout the holidays to keep things fresh and exciting.
We keep everything on-site — because being in a familiar, contained environment means we can focus on what matters most: genuinely supporting every individual, without stretching our team or compromising anyone's safety.
Afternoon Tea & Food
Afternoon tea is provided each day. Allergies and food preferences are captured at enrolment so we can make sure your child is always catered for. If they have very specific food needs, we may ask you to send items from home — and we're always happy to microwave anything you provide. Due to council food service regulations, we don't cook on-site, but sandwiches, snacks and packaged foods are all part of the spread.
Personal Care & Life Skills
We support participants with personal care needs throughout the day and weave life skill building into the routine naturally — things like toileting independence and getting dressed. Small, consistent steps that add up to real progress over time.
What's Here To Keep Them Engaged?
Everything at Peppermint Place is set up to support every kind of participant — the movers, the makers, the quietly explorers and the full-speed-ahead adventurers.
Inside there's craft, sensory play, movies, games, books and a full range of toys — cars, trains, dinosaurs, dolls, Barbies, blocks and more. Our Nintendo Switch is always popular for turn-taking practice and high-motivation engagement.
Outside, there's a trampoline, multiple swings for sensory regulation and pure fun, climbing equipment and plenty of space for gross motor adventures. And of course — always — space to do their own thing, your own way.
NDIS Funding
The after-school program can be accessed using the following NDIS funding types:
Core Funding: Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation
Capacity Building: Increased Social and Community Participation, or Improved Daily Living — Other Supports
Not sure which funding type applies to your child's plan?
No stress — just mention it when you get in touch, and we'll help you figure it out together.
Bookings & Availability
How Enrolments Work
The holiday program runs across every school holiday period, with enrolments opening approximately one month before each block begins. Families apply for each holiday period separately — so your place isn't automatically held from one holidays to the next.
To keep things fair and accessible, bookings are limited to 3 days per week per participant. If space allows, you may be offered the option to book an additional 1-2 days to attend the full week.
Capacity varies depending on the needs of participants enrolled — if a higher number of high-needs participants are booked in a given week, overall numbers will be adjusted to make sure every individual gets the support they need. Maximum capacity is 12 participants per day.
A waitlist operates when applications exceed availability — so getting your application in early is always a good idea!
Enrolment Process
New to Peppermint Place? Start by submitting a registration form. We'll arrange a visit so you and your child can explore the space and meet the team before their first day. Once everyone's happy, a service agreement is sent through and everything is confirmed.
Returning families simply apply for each upcoming holiday block when enrolments open.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Days and Hours Does the Program Run?
The holiday program runs 8:30am to 3:30pm. Families are responsible for drop-off and pick-up — there is no transport provided for this program.
What's The Staff to Participant Ratio?
Support ratios range from 1:1 through to 1:3, depending on each individual's needs. This is discussed and confirmed during your enrolment meeting so the right level of support is in place from day one.
What Ages Does the Program Cater to?
The holiday program is open to school-aged participants from Prep through to Year 12.
How Many Spots Are Available?
Maximum capacity is 12 participants per day, though this may be lower depending on the support needs of those enrolled. We operate a waitlist when applications are high, so early applications are encouraged.
Can My Child Access 1:1 Support?
Absolutely. If your child needs 1:1 support, we can accommodate that — just let us know and we'll make sure the right level of care is in place.
How Many Days Can We Book?
Bookings are capped at 3 days per week per participant to keep access fair. If space is available, we may be able to offer up to 2 additional days so your child can attend the full week.
When Do Enrolments Open?
Enrolments open approximately 6 weeks to 1 month before each school holiday block. Keep an eye on our socials or get in touch to make sure you don't miss out.
Do You Provide Food?
Please provide their lunch, but afternoon tea is included each day. We cater to allergies and food preferences shared at enrolment. We don't cook on-site due to council regulations, but we provide sandwiches, snacks and packaged foods, and are happy to microwave items sent from home.
What Should My Child Bring Each Day?
A change of clothes, any personal care items they need, and comfort items or specific snacks from home if they have particular favourites.
What Happens If My Child is Having a Really Hard Day?
Our team will always try everything we know works for your child first. If they remain extremely distressed, we'll call you to talk through what else we can try together before ever suggesting an early pickup. We work with you, not around you.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
We require 48 hours' notice for cancellations. If you're unsure whether this applies to your specific funding type, just ask us at enrolment and we'll walk you through it.
Can a Sibling Attend The Program?
Yes — siblings are welcome! The same support rates apply regardless of NDIS status, so siblings without an NDIS package will need to be privately funded by the family.
Do You Administer Medication?
Yes. Medication consent and details are captured during the enrolment process so everything is in place from day one.
Keen to Secure a Spot For The Next School Holidays?
Enrolments open about 1 month before each holiday block — and spots fill fast. Submit an enquiry now so you're first to know when bookings open, or get in touch if you have questions about whether the program is the right fit for your child.
Still Have Questions?
If you have questions about whether or not Peppermint Place is a good fit for your child/young adult, or regarding your NDIS package and how it could be used for one of our programs, please fill out the form, and a lovely human being will contact you.