East Gippsland Shire Council has made the difficult decision to cease its after-school care service at the Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre (BARC) at the end of the 2026 school year and is now supporting staff and families through an orderly transition.
The decision follows a thorough review of the service. The review considered what is required to continue providing after-school care, including compliance, workforce and administrative requirements of running a children’s service, and whether they can be met sustainably.
CEO Fiona Weigall said the decision was not an easy one.
“We know some families and staff rely on this service and understand the decision will have an impact on them as they seek an alternate service. There are a range of other after-school based and childcare based services available to the impacted families.
Closure of the service was not a decision Council made lightly. This isn’t about any one issue. It’s about whether we can keep providing the specialist oversight, staffing and child safety standards that a service like this needs, now and into the future. After careful consideration, we’ve concluded we can’t do that sustainably or safely. The closure will impact approximately 16 primary-school aged families who are current users of the service.
“Our priority now is looking after the families and staff affected. We’ll be talking with them openly, every step of the way, and we’re committed to helping everyone through this change.”
Council will work closely with families to find alternative care options for 2027 and will engage with the Department of Education to explore alternatives. Staff affected by the decision will also be supported throughout the transition.