All nursery funding grants will now be means-tested

Wednesday 28 September 2016

Ministers were sent to the naughty step yesterday after a controversial policy to only means-test parents who send their kids to private pre-schools was rejected by States members.

The States voted 27-13, with four abstentions, and funding for all nursery places in Jersey will now be means-tested, regardless of whether the children are sent to private, or state kindergartens.

Means-testing for Nursery Education Funding (NEF) will only apply to parents who jointly earn more than £85,000 a year - below that and parents will still receive Government grants.

The States’ Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) called for only private pre-school funding to be means-tested, but an amendment, proposed by Deputy John Le Fondre, was adopted. 

Deputy Le Fondre said a “level-playing field” was important, so that parents of all children in the Island would be means-tested for nursery care. 

He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the response I have had over this amendment by members of the public. It clearly shows that the controversy when this was first aired continues. 

“The Council of Ministers have missed the point. This is not about money, or one philosophical view or another, it is very simply about a principle of equality and non-discrimination. I make no apologies for that. It cannot be right that the parents of a child who goes to one nursery provider is means-tested, but the same parents, on exactly the same income, are not means-tested because that happened to be a service provider run by the Government. 

“That goes against the principles when the NEF was set up. That cannot be fair - period. This is about fairness and equity. If means-testing is going to be introduced, then we have a duty to means-test everyone.” 

Education Minister Rod Bryan said the issue had become one of the most “passionately discussed matters in the last year.”

He added: “I have heard compelling arguments from those who are pro means-testing, meaning those who can afford to pay, should pay - and those who say nursery education should be free and available to all.

“Why is it appropriate to consider means testing in private sector nurseries and not state schools? The amendment says this is blatantly unfair and I can fully appreciate that perspective, but unfortunately in this case that perspective is incorrect. States nursery classes and private sector classes are different and provide a different set of services to parents and children.

“If a parent chooses a state-funded educational place, this must be free, irrespective of background or income. If a parent chooses a private education for their children then in most cases they will have to pay. Fundamental to this system working is the parent having a choice to send their children to a fully-funded state school and this must remain in place.

“Throwing out the principle of free state education in our nurseries could change the social mix in our schools. We currently see children of different backgrounds and incomes sitting together and learning together. This mix reflects society and is what makes our schools great and fosters high quality learning.”      

The Minister then apologised to the chamber for announcing the NEF proposals earlier this year without proper consultation.  

He said: “The decision to communicate the proposals in the way I did generated a great deal of criticism of me and the officers in my department and I have apologised for this. I think people now accept I did this to advise parents of our intentions well in advance to give them time to plan. However, I will not apologise for the proposal itself as NEF in its current form is over-budget and unsustainable.”

Val Payne, Chairman of Jersey Early Years Association, said: “The vote in favour of means-testing all parents accessing nursery provision is a victory, but a hollow one. JEYA have always stated that our preference is to have no means testing at all. Pre-school education is such a crucial part of a child’s development, that no child should be denied that right to have early years education because of their parents income and/or the lottery of a free States nursery place.

“We hope that the Minister and Director of Education will look at other ways to save funds and scrap means testing altogether and work in partnership with the private sector.”