The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture has signalled its commitment to the pre-school Education Fund that ensures free universal access for children in the year before they start primary school for up to 15 hours per week, term time only.
At a recent meeting with pre-school providers, the Committee, States Early Years Team and providers agreed to continue working in partnership to deliver a high standard of pre-school education.
States-funded pre-school education is not a trial. It was established by the States as a permanent scheme. There is also a States' Resolution that parents' access to the scheme should not be adjusted with anything less than nine months' notice to providers and parents.
During a very open and constructive meeting, the Committee confirmed that it will not ask the States to allow providers to require parents to pay top-up fees in addition to the fees paid by the States. However, the hourly rate paid by the States will increase to £6.07p per hour (an RPIX uplift) from April this year.
Deputy Matt Fallaize, President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said:
'The success of the States-funded pre-school education scheme thus far is to be celebrated, and the Committee is committed to ensuring it continues in the long term. Talk of a trial period by the previous Committee was inaccurate and has unnecessarily confused some parents. Parents can be certain that the new Committee unequivocally supports the current States-funded pre-school education scheme delivered through a public-private partnership with providers.
'For those parents who wish to take advantage of it, pre-school education provides an invaluable experience for children and helps prepare them for the step up to primary school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank providers for all their hard work making that experience as successful as possible.'
Ruth Sharp, Lead Education Officer - Early Years, said:
'The States Early Years Team continues to work hard to develop partnerships with all other children's services across the Bailiwick to ensure all children can thrive and develop strongly. The commitment from our Pre-schools and Day Nurseries is fantastic. It is a privilege to be part of the provision and an exciting place to work. The passion is clear with businesses working hard to ensure they are offering a high quality service for all children within the Bailiwick. Practitioners are attending a wide range of Continuing Professional Development which ensures they are confident, informed and current in their practice.'
Caroline Blondel, Deputy Chair of the Pre-school Learning Association, said:
'The Pre-schools and Day Nurseries are thrilled to support the continuation of the pre-school education fund.'
