Toddlers’ 15 free hours to include childminders

Jersey’s Education Minister has pledged that a £20 million increase in next year’s education budget will be used to support both families and teachers.

If approved by the States Assembly, the funding will extend free nursery hours to children aged two and three from January 2026. Parents will be able to claim 15 funded hours a week during term-time, and for the first time childminders will be included alongside nurseries.

Currently, the Nursery Education Fund provides up to 30 free hours for children in the year they turn four.

Education Minister Rob Ward described the change as a “really good starting point”.

“It is a huge step forward,” he said. “It includes childminders, who aren’t covered under the current scheme. That’s why we are calling it a universal offer.”

The package will also help some families with back-to-school costs, including support towards uniforms.

“It’s about increasing access to education,” Deputy Ward added. “That’s money well spent, because the stronger start our children have, the more they will succeed.”

Support for teachers

Part of the new funding will go towards reducing teachers’ workloads — an issue campaigners have raised for years.

“This is the first time we’ve secured dedicated funding for that,” Deputy Ward said. “It will allow us to start addressing planning time and the many tasks teachers face beyond the classroom.”

Investment in schools and youth services

The 2026 budget commits a total of £246m to education, an increase of £20m compared to last year.

The plans include continuing feasibility studies for a new town primary at Gas Place and rebuilding Mont à L’Abbé Secondary. The government says the redevelopment will create a combined campus serving children and young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties, from birth through to 25, as well as providing respite care.

Funding has also been earmarked for new youth facilities, including a centre at Le Squez and the North of St Helier Youth Club on the former Ann Street Brewery site.

Looking further ahead, ministers have promised long-term investment in Highlands College, with the aim of creating a new central campus by 2032.