Free nursery places cut for families earning more than £75,000

Thursday 24 March 2016

Free nursery places for three and four year olds are being cut for households earning more than £75,000 from September 2017.

The Education department has announced the cut, which it says it’s making because it can’t afford to fund the current scheme.

The scheme allows all children aged three and four and in the year before they start reception to get 20 hours of free care for 38 weeks per year in term time, at a cost to the States of £3,914 each. It costs taxpayers £1.8 million per year, but the Education department say that between 75 and 100 families will lose out, saving more than £250,000 per year.

Children from families with incomes of less than £75,000 will continue to receive the free nursery places when the changes take effect in September 2017.

Education Minister Rod Bryans said that the universal benefit could no longer be justified as the States cut spending to meet the £145 million deficit.

He said: “We simply can’t afford to do this any more and the time is right to make sure our spending helps the most vulnerable children and has the maximum impact.

“This is perfectly in line with our commitment to the 1001 Days Agenda.

“It is difficult, in the current financial circumstances, to justify giving this subsidy across the board to higher-earning families but we also need to protect the funding for those who would otherwise struggle to afford nursery education.”

Deputy Louise Doublet, a former teacher who heads the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, hinted that there could be a backlash against the cuts in the States.

Speaking about the proposals this morning, she said: “I am really concerned, firstly that this is done without any meaningful consultation with the private nurseries and I would like to know if this is being done in the best interest of the children or just as money saving exercise.​"

Education Chief Officer Justin Donovan said that the department had received some protection from budget cuts, but still had to play its part in making savings.

He said: “Every education professional knows the value of high quality early learning and the positive impact it can have on a child’s education and subsequent life chances.

“We have redesigned the Nursery Education Fund in a way that gives us a more streamlined fund but is also better targeted to help children from less affluent families.

“This will enable the department to make savings but also ensure we continue the vital work in early years that will help us drive improved education standards for the Island.”