Senator Mike Vibert is expanding a planned review of childcare for children aged three to five to include provision right from birth.
He will set out the States’ role as provider, partner or regulator.
Some private nurseries say they have been forced out of business by the States providing a limited number of free nursery places, and Senator Vibert says the review for those up to five years old, which is due by the end of this year, will address their concerns and set out the States’ position clearly.
‘Early-years care is an investment and it pays off a long way ahead,’ he said.
‘All the research shows that it pays off in multiples later on where you have a better society, better educated people doing better jobs and enjoying life more, and less anti-social behaviour and crime.
‘The Council of Ministers are quite aware that this will have a funding implication.
We will work up a family policy, it will be costed, and then it will go to the States for a final decision.’
