THE Education Department might join forces with private nurseries to provide pre-school education. Deputy minister Wendy Morgan said that it would be impossible for the States to fund a nursery education scheme as suggested by Deputy Jenny Tasker at the last States meeting, but the department could look at alternatives.

‘We could never afford to provide the service for free,’ said Deputy Morgan. ‘But what we might look at is a partnership with private nurseries in some cases. But this has not yet been discussed.’

Deputy Tasker said that a States funded scheme would save the States money. It would make children better equipped for school and less likely to drop out later down the line.

‘The majority of children would benefit from structured nursery education,’ said the former Mare de Carteret secondary school head teacher.

‘It would save money in the long run because youngsters would have a better grounding and would be less likely to become disaffected with their education.

‘Our infant and junior schools do a good job but it is important what happens before that.’

Most nursery places are paid for by parents. A nurture group for pre-school children is being trialled at Amherst primary, for children who need extra support before starting school.

There are also similar groups for four and five-year-olds at Amherst, St Martin’s, La Mare de Carteret and Granville House.

Deputy Morgan said that the results from these groups had been excellent.

‘The improvement in their social behaviour has been fantastic,’ she said.

‘It seems that the earlier we catch them, the better.’

She added that getting more children into nursery education would allow more parents to go back to work.