Representatives from the Jersey Early Years Association said that its relationship with the Education Department was failing, and accused the department of showing a ‘total disregard’ for the concerns of private nurseries over plans to means-test free nursery care.
In plans lodged in last year’s Medium Term Financial Plan Addition – an updated spending strategy – the department proposed means-testing free care at private nurseries only. The proposal was later successfully amended by Deputy John Le Fondré to include States-run nurseries.
As a result, from 2018 parents earning a combined income of at least £85,000 will have the number of free hours reduced on a sliding scale.
Those earning £100,000 or more would not be entitled to any free nursery care.
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