MORE “support and collaboration” is needed from government towards nursery providers to cover a proposed 15 hours of free provision for two-to-three-year-olds, a mother and recruitment expert has said after it emerged that negotiations had collapsed.
Denise Heavey, who co-founded community initiative MentorHood Jersey, said the government’s proposed funding model for the introduction of free nursery care for two-to-three-year-olds next year risks placing “additional financial strain” on families and the sector.
She said the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department and the early years sector should be “working hand-in-hand to make the new 15-hour offer genuinely accessible for families”.
As part of the 2026 Budget proposals £3 million would be set aside for the extension of free nursery provision, with nursery providers having been offered £11 an hour to offer the 15 hours.
However, during a Scrutiny panel hearing this week, Education Minister Rob Ward revealed that money could be paid directly to parents after his department failed to reach an agreement with early-years providers.
Speaking to the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, the minister said that the money would be paid in arrears to parents, and would be worth around £6,100 per year for a family with a two- to three-year-old in nursery.
Ms Heavey said this demonstrated how more needed to be done by government “to make the scheme workable in practice”.
She said: “If the offer was declined by parts of the early years sector, it signals that much more support and collaboration are needed to make the scheme workable in practice — not only for providers, but for the families who rely on them.”
The Jersey Early Years Association have expressed major concerns about the extension of nursery provision due to uncertainty over staffing and the extra costs required.
In a recent written States question hearing this week, the Education Minister, Deputy Rob Ward said he expects over 1,500 children to benefit from the provision in the next twelve months, according to current birth data.
Arguing for the benefits of the 15 hour provision, the Jersey Child Care Trust recently counteracted concerns that the offer will fall short of meeting the needs of families.
The charity pointed to research which shows that around 15 hours per week of early education is associated with positive cognitive outcomes, specifically for disadvantaged children.
Emphasising the importance of a universal offer, Ms Heavey told the JEP that high-quality and affordable childcare in Jersey can be achieved by open dialogue, shared problem-solving and a funding model that doesn’t place additional financial strain on families or the sector.”
—-
To support parents struggling with care costs and career development, Ms Heavey co-founded a community initiative, MentorHood Jersey, earlier this year.
A podcast with the recruitment Ms Heavey and MentorHood supporter, Freeda chief executive Kate Wright, launches today on Bailiwick Podcasts.
Listen for free by using the QR code or you can access the episode on Spotify.
