Free pre-school on the way for tots
Friday 8th March 2013, 12:00PM GMT.
EDUCATION will propose that every three- to five-year-old be entitled to 15 hours a week of free pre-school education.
Anything beyond that would then be paid for by parents.
It aims to announce its detailed plan in the last quarter of this year. The board is unanimous in its support of the initiative. It will work with private providers on the scheme, Education minister Robert Sillars, pictured, has confirmed.
‘There’s a huge amount of evidence that pre-school education around the world has a great value for young children before they start primary school,’ said Deputy Sillars. He attended a British Irish Council meeting in Wales recently where he heard from other jurisdictions that are all committed to the education of children from birth.’
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This is the best news to come out from the States in as long as I can remember, I hope it gets pushed through as quickly as possible.
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This is great news, but as usual the planning stages will be long and drawn out. This can’t come soon enough in my opinion. I hope that the ‘plan’ will come into action soon after it is proposed. The change in children once they begin preschool in my opinion is immense. My daughter aged 3 1/2 is so eager and ready to learn, she attends preschool twice a week, but she’d love to go more often. It’s completely unaffordable to the majority of parents. Personally I think it could come into action a lot quicker if the plan was to introduce it as a single year prior to starting school to begin with as inevitably the question of where the money will come from will long be debated before it can happen.
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At last the States are waking up albeit after a very long coma! I recall going to a meeting when a Carol Fletcher took the stand and I asked her when we could expect some sort of child care tax allowance (as they have in Jersey I understand). She replied they were working on it – my son was 3 months old at the time – he will be 22 this year! Oh well little steps as they say – its a start although don’t hold out on your daughter benefiting if their timing is anything to go by!
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No, I agree, I wasn’t holding out ANY hope for her to benefit. In fact, when I’ve spoken of this news with friends this weekend, I’ve said I seriously doubt my 22 month old son would even benefit.
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“… jurisdictions that are all committed to the education of children from birth.”
Well, of course, education does start from birth. I’m not sure that lowering the starting age of state education helps, though. I started school at 4 1/2, by which time I could read pretty well, thanks to my parents and older siblings. Individual tuition by a parent is far more valuable at age 3 than being thrown into a crowd. Naturally, there will be those parents who merely see it as ‘getting them off their hands’ for a few hours.
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Making the facility available doesn’t make it compulsory.
Besides, I think 15 hours per week with other children to learn social skills is good, especially if you’re an only child like my daughter. It also leaves plenty time for input at home.
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Yes exactly Dee Sharisse – you had great parents who taught you and were willing to give you individual tuition until you reached school age. There are so many parents who don’t do this and believe that it is the “schools job” to teach anything and everything and unfortunately these kids start out behind their peers and have a tendency to stay there. It is an unfortunate situation but this access to preschool education will benefit those kids greatly and even the playing field from a younger age. In many cases, being “thrown into the crowd” can be the best thing.
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I think this is a great idea, I am just not sure how it ties in with a £7m reduction in education’s budget?
If you assume there are 600 children between 3 and 5 and they get 15 free hours at £6.50 per hour then this equates to an annual cost of over £3m per annum.
If this additional cost is combined with a £7m cut then the question I would ask is aren’t you just lowering the standard of education at another point in the child’s life to pay for this?
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Think it is just for one year group of children i.e. 3-4 year olds. 4 to 5 already have access to Reception classes.
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Totally agree, where is the money coming from ? This is a smokescreen for the bigger news next week. Maybe the scrapping of 11plus and the grammer school ….
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If any difficulty or child development issue is caught early then there will be massive savings down the line in these areas alone (ie dyslexia, speech delay, remedial education etc). The earlier these things are recognised and treated the better the results.
If the benefits of early education include improved academic results in the long term then there are some very obvious benefits there to society, financial as well as social.
If it encourages a parent to go back into the workforce then they will be paying tax which they otherwise may not have.
The only problem is that it will take years for the true benefits to be realised and it is a large outlay on what some may see as basically a “social experiment”, however, the results achieved by other countries who have brought in similar schemes are encouraging.
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A worthy initiative that will be of benefit to pre-school children, family life, single and working Mums, and thelocal economy.
The success of the porposed scheme will partially be dependent on avoiding exagerated use of “gold brick” and so called ‘progessional/safety standards’.
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And single working dad’s….
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Thank goodness! This will really benefit mums who really want to work but who at the present time cannot afford it, as well as the children. Lets hope that the standard of care is good – I note that one group my daughter enquired about has “chip days”……
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Would a politician have the gall to say that they are advocating a “Free” 15 hours a week of education?…education costs and the tax payer will be paying, whether parents of 3 to 5 year olds or not. Perhaps a sound plan but it is NOT free!
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I fail to understand why tax payers should be expected to pay for what in effect is nursery care / child minding! This should, and must remain entirely the responsibility of parents. Children should only be brought into the World when parents can afford to bring them up. If the mooted closure of primary schools goes ahead in order to fund nursery care, then heads should roll! The island has far more important things to spend mone on than nursery care.
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This is great news as I know many who work hard and have to pay high rates for their child to be cared for
On the other had I know many who will just take take and take and not give anything back
perhaps some firms could offer part time work to these mums?
This will in turn prepare then for when the child reaches a certain age that they will have to go back into the work stream,
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There is already a massive shortage of good part time jobs with any advertised being chased by a large number of people. Where do these excited parents think they are going to get work? There are many people who do not have young children to consider finding it difficult to secure worthwhile part time.
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Burdock
There are a number of foreign workers here on short term licenses and we are currently very grateful for their essential contribution. Just saying.
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Will those with young children to consider wish to work in the hospitality industry or even in retail? I think you’ll find they’ll be expected employers and existing staff to ‘bend over backwards’ to accommodate them in office jobs.
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Burdock
I know plenty of locals who work in retail and hospitality and doing cleaning jobs and manual labour and in the old days plenty worked in greenhouses too. What has having young children to consider got to do with the job they do when their children are at pre school?
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Spartacus
Agreed in the old days people worked in greenhouses and this worked well as there was flexibility and maybe even an opportunity to take children with you when they were mildly unwell or during the school holidays. There is no way you can take children with you to a retail environment and, in the main, hours in the hospitality industry are by nature, pretty unsociable.
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This is great in my opinion and represents progress.
My understanding is that pre school education offerings already available on island is of very high quality and strike the right balance between learning and play for optimal child development. Therefore I don’t think this represents a risk that children will be pushed too hard too soon which can stifle creativity and natural development.
This could be funded by scrapping 11+ as Rob has suggested. I’m hoping that will happen anyway.
It could also mean that the starting age for formal education could be pushed up. In Finland, widely regarded to be one of the most successful education systems in the world, formal education does not start until age 7 and prior to that age there is affordable pre school “kindergarten” made available for all children.
I firmly believe that 4 and 5 year olds are too young to start school with all the ramifications of the social, intellectual and practical demands of the formal academic structure.
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I am very fortunate to have been able to look after both my grandchildren from the age of 3 months old, but I am amazed at the amount of grandparents that are looking after their grandchildren all day, because the parents have to work, yes have to work, to make ends meet and mostly to keep a roof over their head, I cannot believe the child care costs in Guernsey and I am sure the very many quite elderly grandparents would welcome this new iniative. If anyone on this blog is willing to tell us what they pay in child cares fees I am sure people would be gobsmacked at the amounts some parents are paying, and any help would be welcome, there are many grandparents struggling out there but feel it is there duty to help.
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My daughter pays £6.50 per hour and she has to work, even though her husband has a good job, as they do not qualify for any benefits from the states at all. However, if she were to have several children from upmteen fathers, and decides that as the states pay for everything why should she work, she could get a pre school place for £4 PER MORNING . Us tax payers are complete mugs. I just hope that these “free” places are given firstly to those parents who work.
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Firstly Mr Sillars there is no such thing as FREE pre-school education what an absolutely ludicrous and ill thought out statement to make. The money for this scheme has to come from somewhere and as far as I am aware the States of Guernsey does not have a magical cash cow thethered up somewhere in order to finance what can only be described as a luxury that many can well afford to pay for themselves. We would assume that he has calculated the cost of such a scheme and would maybe like to share with us, the electorate, those figures, afterall it is us the tax payer as a whole who will be financing this. I agree with someone who wrote that there are much more deserving causes than the funding of parents who will now only be too happy to foist the cost of this pre-school education onto the tax payer. As an example do you realise that doctors in Guernsey are being denied access to the best medicines available for their patients because our States refuse to give them funds for these? This is not something that only happens in the UK. So with this in mind ask yourself what is more morally and ethically important, helping the sick and in pain or so called “free” childcare for those who CHOOSE to have children but do not budget for or want the responsibility of looking after them. No one chooses to be ill but people do have the choice as to whether to have children or not. Humans are considered to be at the top of the food chain and therefore supposedly the most intelligent beings on this earth, this being the case if you cannot afford to have children it follows that you should possess the intelligence not to bring a child into this world when you are not capable of looking after it or providing for its welfare. If the States do go ahead with this then the very least they should do is have the applicants thoroughly means tested. Better still abandon this scheme and divert the funds to those with medical needs to have access to the best treatment available
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VERIDIQUE- I agree with you. Why should tax payers fund working parents children being raised by others. If you are planning to have children and cannot afford to look after them do not have them. I do wonder if these parents had to look after their children 24/7 how many would bother to have any. As the saying goes. If you can’t feed them don’t breed them.
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Actually some people may be seen to “choose” to be sick by their poor lifestyle choices… that’s where health education comes into play but some still ignore the health risks anyway don’t they? Like smoking, or being overweight, not exercising enough, getting drunk or not using condoms for example. If children are brought into the world by reckless behaviour (as you suggest) then isn’t getting them into early education the best thing for them? I know you think we should make the parents suffer for being reckless and stupid, the last thing we want to do is help them, but at the same time we want the best for the children don’t we? I know its a fine line but i think in this case it is money well spent- there may even be great savings down the line because of it.
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My son is now nearly 13. I went back to work full-time when he was four and a half months old. I was paid maternity leave for 12 weeks only (6 on full pay, 6 on half pay). He went to Busy Bee Day Nursery and I have nothing but praise and gratitude for the start they gave him. He started at Reception Year used to socialising with other children, used to sharing and taking turns, able to read, write his letters, know his colours and count in both English and up to 10 in French. My husband and I of course put in as much input as we could from home too but both of us working full-time was an economic necessity. The cost of our childcare back then was almost £1,000 per month and, in the early days, we were probably losing money. It has ultimately paid off though as we were both able to advance in our respective careers and are now able to provide well for our son’s schooling and sporting activities. However, those early years were really, really tough. Like Guernsey Gran’s daughter, we did not qualify for any assistance, and, as Donkey Returns has pointed out,we were not entitled to any form of tax allowance or tax relief on our childcare costs (maybe we should have had a company car instead of a baby). In my view, anything that can make quality childcare more affordable for more parents to enhance children’s early years’ education and to enable qualified, trained and motivated individuals to remain in the workforce is a good thing. It’s just been far too long in coming.
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May I add my twopennyworth.
One; As has been mentioned above, from where is the finance to be obtained?
Two; From where are the trained teachers to be recruited? If locals, who will train them and where will this take place?
More education pie (or pigs)in the sky, methinks.
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A brilliant idea in theory – however surely the cost of this to the Education department will not help them save £7 million?!
They need to start thinking about cutting the staff numbers at The Grange first.
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They just keep thinking up of ways to spend money we don’t have!
When does it stop?
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States Social are trying to get single parent mothers off the dole by telling them to work and Education are inviting their children into school.You take money out of one department and put it in the other.
Its nice this taxpayers money round about.
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It seems to me that education these days would be better started prior to conception, in the form of sex ed for the parent/s, many of whom it still appears remain unaware of what causes pregnancy or indeed, the costs and responsibilities that comes with children.
Basic education for very small children can be taught at home, at no cost at all to the taxpayer, and does not require genius intelligence on the parent’s part, helping to strengthen the bond between parent and child with quality time, so what I would like to know is, what exactly are the benefits of this scheme to the island as a whole..?
If it means more mums in work, less on the benny, less costs to the tax payers, and produces an upcoming generation of geniuses, then wonderful, however, if this is yet another golden opportunity for those who choose to breed to have yet more freebies at our expense – bearing in mind how much they’re already entitled to – then I for one certainly don’t agree with it.
Mum’s choosing to use this scheme can return to work, point is, will they, and indeed, can they?
Part time jobs are few and far between these days, and I am extremely doubtful that there would be a pre requisite that the mums putting their children into this scheme have to seek work, heaven forfend, so will this not be simply used as another useful freebie to give them more time for essentials such as shopping and socialising, without the hassle of having little Jaaade and Ni-quisha with them?
Also, does this mean we will all be subsidising pre school ed for kids from the other end of the scale, little Henrietta and Charles, who’s mummy and daddy can easily afford private education, should they so wish, and those with well heeled mums who don’t need to work…?
Are we going to be expected to subsidise their childcare, too whilst they pop off for a quick facial, have a round of tennis and sign them up to one of the private colleges…?
All in all I remain to be convinced that this is anything more than another excuse to score brownie points from the electorate and spend money we don’t have.
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Scarey Fairy
Thats a very thoughtful post which raises several pertinent issues. I would like to comment on a few of them and so I proceed at my peril ;-)
1. Sex education is already taught in schools of course including the consequences and responsibilities it entails. What more than this can be done I do not know.
2. I agree the bond between parent and child is important but early introduction to social skills can be beneficial too. There is also evidence that pre school participation enhances the education outcomes of children. As an Island there is arguably a common benefit to having high standards of education outcomes.
3. I gather the opportunity for pre school care is already available to all children however I wonder whether this system will facilitate more choice which I feel should always be available.
4. If this measure would increase the birth rate then that is perhaps opportune timing in view of our demographic time bomb. Countries such as Singapore are paying people to have children.
5. Good point about whether jobs, for up to 15 hours a week are available and whether mums and dads will take them up. Clearly there are jobs around as we are finding it necessary to import labour on licence. Many casual jobs are flexible and if the family needs money there will be no excuse for locals not to take up these jobs, currently a licence for a foreign worker cannot be obtained unless there is no local available to do the job so maybe the housing department would be under pressure to refuse licences.
6. I have wondered whether some of the jobs in the finance industry could be job share arrangements and whether firms should be encouraged to provide this flexibility to workers. I don’t think anyone should underestimate the long term career value of maintaining a presence in the workplace during the childrens’ early years rather than trying to return to that environment after a long break when the children start school. There are a minority who will not see this opportunity but that could be addressed.
7. I don’t see it as subsidising the well off because it is the child who will benefit in those circumstances not the parent and I believe in equality. I don’t see it merely as childcare, it has to have added value as Donna Hayes explained in her informative post.
8. I will be interested to see where the money is coming from to fund this. Maybe they will scrap 11+ and then they will have enough for universal pre school and enough for the La Mare school rebuild out of the change.
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Scary_Fairy_tales
For once this is an expenditure that I agree with and could make savings in the future.
I have spoken to a lot of parents and single parent families who will not work simply because of childcare issues.
Whilst most are willing to work they feel that paying £6.00+ per hour for childcare just defeats the object.
If they earn £7.00 per hour there is just no point. If they are on minimum wage it is even worse.
They can live on benefits and become a stay at home parent, or earn a low wage and claim supplementary benefit.
If they can get child care (free) and go to work and earn more than they get on benefits we make a saving.
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The ‘if’ is whether they can get work, in particular, part time work, Neil.
I’m well acquainted with recruitment over here. Candidates, usually mums, seeking part time/flexi hours are myriad, the availability of those sort of jobs are very few and very far between.
Take a look at the paper, call a few recruitment agencies, and find out for yourself what’s out there….and it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
Take a look at Jersey for a snapshot of the future if we insist on continuing to spend money we haven’t got.
When we get as bad as they are, then trust me, the last thing people will be worried about is whether their kids get the luxury of free pre school or not…!
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I agree Scarlett, i approached some recruitment agencies about a year ago looking for part-time work and as i have no secretarial skills (only a couple of degrees and a masters) they didn’t want to know. As soon as they heard the word “part-time” they couldn’t get me out of their office quick enough.
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Rachel
Part time workers are under rated.
The States could help mitigate the prejudice of some employers and also, apparently the agencies.
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Rachel
I have an old Press from about a year ago ( kept because of a funeral notice) and there was a big ad for part time staff at the back of the airport
You should have gone to Specsavers
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It’s absolutely nothing to do with ‘prejudice’, Sparty, it’s down to supply and demand.
Employers know what they want, positions are structured accordingly, and the agencies instructed to act upon that.
The supply – or lack thereof- of part time jobs, is dictated by the employers, not the agencies.
Agencies cannot act autonomously. You must be confusing them with the Civil Service.
So, exactly how do you propose the States tell private businesses what they should and shouldn’t do in employment terms……?
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Scarlett
I agree the agencies only respond to demand but the States could offer incentives for employers to take on part time staff.
I’d like to see more retired people continuing to work part time as well as parents returning to work.
The more people who can remain economically and socially active the better. Better for them and better for Guernsey.
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Rachel, I found your comments hilarious! I suppose now you realise that with a couple of degrees and a masters you are pretty much stuffed when it comes to actually finding work, let alone part time. If you are able to retrain, get some useable skills, then go to the COFE – they can help. Part time work is available, as is flexi time, but what employers don’t want are a bunch of useless women who swan in and out as they please, leaving the rest of the whole time staff to pick up their load. Believe me, as a woman, I have seen this happen over and over again.
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Sorry I disagree, in my experience part time workers can accomplish as much as a full time worker, they just get their head down and get on with it rather than letting the work stretch to fit the day. Perhaps I’m just lucky at recruiting the ones with a good work ethic.
Employees who are slackers do tend to resent the ones who leave early while they have to stay behind but the majority of staff I’ve worked with are team players and appreciate the contribution of part timers.
It’s understandable that in a limited market like Guernsey and in the part time job market particularly, Rachel might find it slightly harder to utilise and capitalise on her qualifications and specific skills.
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My husband and I are both teachers and we can not afford childcare costs and paying the mortgage. We both earn the top level that a teacher can get. The cost of child care has gone up far quicker than the cost of our pay rise each year as we do not go up in steps anymore just a small percentage payrise. It is March and education have still not agreed to give us a payrise since September! Everything is getting more and more expensive but our wages are not rising to nearly reach this cost of living. This means that the more years we work the lower our actual wage gets. I think that it is ridiculous that two teachers are not able to afford child care and a two bedroom house in Guernsey. If we both gave up our jobs we would be in a much better position. My friend who was on benefits was getting £80 cash a week and was living in her parents multi million pound house not having to pay for food or even shampoo. She saved over £5000 so she could go on holiday. I am fully aware of the need for education cuts as I am within the system but I am pretty sure that cuts can be made without it actually effecting front-line teaching. I only hope that the decision is made to start this programme before my child reaches 3 and it was not just a way for deputies to get votes.
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Mish
Sincerely hope it’s NOT the case but if you think you have troubles now,just wait till your housing licence is due for an extension !
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Annual pay rise? Whats that?? I have not had one in nearly 5 years now – and I work in the dreaded finance industry!
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Massive cuts to our health system, pay freeze for all states employees( except deputies!!!). Good to see we can afford this. Exactly how much will it cost. Hope it is only open to tax payers not the usual parasite with loads of kids…
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Excellent, lets encourage people to have a few extra kids at public expense. Just what the island needs more people and higher taxes. Have they got any more brilliant ideas?
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We’ve been here before. The most likely out come is that nothing will happen anyway. A new election will have taken place before the States get their act together on this I bet!
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