Nannies added to funded childcare for 2 and 3 year olds

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 11:41

Families in Jersey will now have more funded childcare options.

Accredited nannies have been included in the government's scheme for two and three year olds.

The free hours had only applied to parents using nurseries or registered childminders.

They can be reimbursed for 15 hours per week during term-time, worth up to £6,270 a year.

The Education Minister has made the change to give families more choice and flexibility.

Deputy Catherine 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."

Fiona Vacher, CEO of Jersey Childcare Trust (JCCT), said: "We are delighted that Accredited Nannies will be included in Jersey's early years future funding offer.

"This landmark decision gives parents of two and three-year-olds greater choice in accessing the childcare that best suits their family's needs, while making nanny care more affordable through this Government support.

“We hope it will encourage more nannies to become Accredited, increasing the availability of high-quality childcare across the Island. The accreditation process is designed to be straightforward, with support from the Jersey Child Care Trust throughout.

When the scheme was launched in January 2026 it was estimated 700 families would be eligible, costing around £4.5 million in total in the first year and £5.3m in 2027.

Applications for families using accredited nannies will open in October, with payments backdated to 1 September.