The Government’s 15 hours of free nursery care will do little to boost children’s development or encourage parents back into the workforce, according to childcare providers.
Jersey Early Years Association chair Belinda Lewis said that “members are concerned that the offering of 15 hours in its current form will not generate any material improvements in terms of outcomes for children developmentally, nor will it have the economic advantage of encouraging parents back into the workplace”.
It comes after the Economic Development Minister last month said the proposed 15 hours of free childcare clashes with the realities of Jersey’s job market – where most part-time workers clock closer to 20 hours a week.
Deputy Kirsten Morel this week told a scrutiny panel that “Government has a habit of not quite matching with the business environment”.
Deputy Morel explained he had received concerns – which he said he agreed with – that Government had created a “15-hour situation”.
“No-one works a 15-hour-week job,” he said. “If you want to be part-time, you are on 20 hours a week.
“I am definitely of the view that 15 hours is better than nothing, but if we could get that to 20 hours I think that would be much more helpful because it would match more easily with the part-time working week.
“Government has a habit of not quite matching with the business environment – and this is just another example of that.”
His comments came just days after Education Minister Rob Ward admitted he had not held any discussions with the business community about the 15-hour funding model.
If the Government’s proposed three-year Budget is approved by the States Assembly next month, 15 hours of free childcare would be offered to all two- and three-year-olds each week during term-time.
Almost £4m has been set aside for the scheme, which equates to £11 per hour per child.
But Mrs Lewis explained that members of the Jersey Early Years Association have “confirmed unanimously that the rate of £11 per hour, set out in the budget is not viable and they will not be able to participate in the scheme at that rate”.
She added: “Jersey Early Years Association members have continued throughout this process to express serious concerns about the lack of consultation regarding the number of funded hours.”
The Jersey Early Years Association chair added: “Whilst 15 hours of funding will understandably be welcomed by those already accessing childcare, it is unlikely to alleviate cost of living pressures sufficiently to improve the drop in the birth rate – something which is drastically needed with our aging demographic.”