In September 2009 Jersey will see the launch of the Nursery Education Fund (NEF), which will give parents the opportunity to access free early education for pre-school children, and also give them the freedom to find a nursery place in the private and voluntary sector instead of only within a States primary school nursery class.
On 3 September this year the first group of children to access the Nursery Education Fund will begin nursery. Every year approximately 1000 families apply for nursery places but, in the past, only 470 of them received a free place in a States nursery class.
The Jersey Early Years Association (JEYA) addressed this inequity with the States of Jersey and was fundamental in getting States funding for 20 hours per week term-time only for one year before children start school. The States of Jersey, through Education, Sport and Culture, also set up an Early Years and Childcare Partnership (EYCP). The aim of the partnership is to achieve effective collaboration between the private and public sector including parents to enhance the care, play and educational experiences of children up to the age of 12.
This comes at an exciting time for parents as a new organisation Parents for Children is being launched. It is in association with the Early Years Partnership, which draws together people from all aspects of early years and childcare, but is currently desperately lacking in parental representation. They are looking for any parents who ’want to voice their views about early years and childcare in Jersey and make things happen’.
The first meeting was held on Wednesday 19 August.
Read more information about Parents for Children
To secure a place for a pre-school child you must be aware that;
- The child must become four years old between 1 September and 31 August in the year before they are due to start primary school.
- The child is able to secure a place with only a nursery provided that is a registered member of the Jersey Early Years Partnership.
- The childcare is available for up to 20 hours a week, 38 weeks a year and in term-time only.
For more information about the Nursery Education Fund, please contact:
Keith Posner (01534) 449223, or
Peter Horsfall (01534) 449202
at the Department for Education, Sport and Culture or email nef@gov.je
To contact the Jersey Child Care Trust:
Tel: (01534) 629901
Email: info@jcct.org.je
Website: www.jcct.org.je
For information about the Jersey Early Years Association (JEYA), please contact:
Val Payne (01534) 873976