Accredited nannies have been added to a government childcare funding scheme for parents of two- and three-year-olds.
The change took effect yesterday following approval from Education Minister Catherine Curtis.
Previously, financial support was only available for children attending registered childcare settings or being cared for by registered childminders.
The government said extending the scheme would give families greater choice, particularly those requiring care outside standard nursery hours, childcare at home or support for multiple children.
It could also benefit youngsters who are better suited to a smaller and more personalised setting, allowing them to receive consistent care in familiar surroundings.
Deputy Curtis said: “We know that families have different childcare needs and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
“By extending the childcare funding scheme to include accredited nannies, we are giving parents greater choice and flexibility when deciding what type of childcare works best for their family.
“It is another step towards making childcare more accessible and affordable for Jersey families.”
Accredited nannies are required to meet recognised standards relating to qualifications, safeguarding and professional practice.
The government also hopes the expansion will increase the number of funded childcare places available by making better use of existing capacity.
Fiona Vacher, chief executive of the Jersey Child Care Trust, described the move as a “landmark decision”.
“We hope it will encourage more nannies to become accredited, increasing the availability of high-quality childcare across the Island,” she said.
“The accreditation process is designed to be straightforward, with support from the Jersey Child Care Trust throughout.”
The trust will remain the main point of contact for accredited nannies and families seeking information about the process.
Applications are due to open in October following updates to the system this month.
Families using accredited nannies will be able to backdate their applications to 1 September, with further information and the application form set to be published on the government website.
The scheme, which began earlier this year, allows families to claim up to £6,270 per academic year for nursery care.
More than 400 families had benefited from the funded childcare scheme in July, with £1.4 million paid out through the reimbursement model.
The government has allocated £3.74 million to the scheme this year, rising to £4.78m in 2027, £4.76m in 2028 and £4.86m in 2029.
