ALPINE Children’s Services (ACS) will cease operating the Myrtleford Outside School Hours Care service from the end of the 2025 academic year.

ACS chief executive officer Tanya Scott said the decision was made at last week's board meeting.

"As part of its governance role, the board of Alpine Children’s Services continually reviews each service to ensure it remains aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives and is financially viable," she said.

“Myrtleford Outside School Hours Care is the only Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service operated by Alpine Children’s Services.

"This service differs from ACS’ other services because it operates for school-age children, not preschool children.

"This program operates at a financial loss and is the only ACS service that does not operate from an ACS site, resulting in staffing and security challenges.

“We understand working parents rely on this service, and ACS is committed to ensuring a smooth transition to a new provider, minimising the impact on families who use the service.”

Ms Scott said ACS had contacted all families, as well as Myrtleford P-12 College and St Mary’s Primary School, who have students attending the service.

“We hope that with a six-month notice period, we can find a new provider for the service,” she said.

ACS operates long day care and kindergarten programs in Myrtleford, Bright, and Mount Beauty, employing over 150 staff.