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FUNDING models to ensure additional nursery hours can be provided will be developed “as quickly as possible”, the Education Minister has said. As part of the 2026 Budget proposals, the government has set aside an additional £3 million to extend nursery funding which, if approved, could come into force from January. And, in a Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel hearing yesterday, Education Minister Rob Ward said that providing the additional hours of nursery provision should not be “insurmountable”. The Jersey Early Years Association has been in negotiations with the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department since the 2026 Budget proposals were lodged amid concerns that some providers may not be able to offer the extended hours. Some of the issues have centred on how the additional hours would be covered, whether the provision would be universal and the extra cost required. The Scrutiny panel was told that providing the subsidy would cost the Island £18 million until 2029. If the proposed three-year Budget is approved by the States Assembly in December, the universal provision would provide fifteen hours of free care for all two and three-year-olds each week, including childminding. It is planned to come into force in January, if the States Assembly approves. Deputy Ward said: “Around 85% of [2-3-year-olds] are already in a nursery place, so it should not be insurmountable in any sort of way. It’s just about getting the money to the right place the right time.” “If there’s a different model of funding that needs to be developed, we’ll do so as quickly as possible.” The minister said that his department would welcome discussions with nurseries to “try to find the hours that parents want” and said it was “up to parents and nurseries to match those hours that are available”. He added that the Economy Department assisted CYPES in working with nursery providers to discuss how the scheme could be implemented if it is approved. Jonathan Williams, programme director for the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department, told the hearing that the additional free provision could benefit around 700 families in Jersey. Mr Williams explained that the proposed total approximate funding allocation for the scheme included pre-approved funding from the agreed 2025-2028 budget. He said around £8.5 million is currently agreed and the remaining figure of around £10 million will be allocated over the next four years, upon approval.
