More funded nursery hours 'wonderful for families'

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 09:00

By Harry Booth

Plans for more funded childcare in Jersey have been described as 'wonderful for families'.

The government's proposed budget for 2027 includes subsidised nursery, nanny and childminder care for two to three-year-olds increasing from 15 hours a week to 20.

That's worth more than £2,000 a year to families, who are reimbursed the term-time fees they pay.

Fiona Vacher, CEO of Jersey Childcare Trust, said:

"This is wonderful for families. It's going to ease things for families even more.

"It's growing an already existing scheme, but it means that families can have more hours in childminders, (accredited) nannies, or nurseries.

"It's really good news for childcare providers (too). It means that families can access a little bit more of their services, and it means that for two to three-year-olds they can have more of a consistency to their week in childcare."

It's one of many measures targeted at supporting families in Jersey. Others include:

Increasing the Parental Grant from £900 to £1800
Giving parents of school-age children a one-off family support payment of £250 per child, for households earning up to £80,000 a year
Increasing the child tax allowance and childcare tax relief
Extending free school meals to disadvantaged secondary pupils on Jersey Premium.

Ms Vacher added:

"The reason that government are investing in children and families isn't just to benefit children and families.

"It will make a happier, healthier child and adult at the end of the day, but all of us in Jersey should be cheering that this is happening because it's going to ultimately make a happier, healthier Jersey."

The budget will be debated in December and, if approved, will come into force from 1 January 2027.