New childminders offered £1.2k to combat shortage

Wednesday 23 August 2023

Grants of up to £1,200 are being offered to new childminders as part of a fresh bid to combat staff shortages in the childcare sector.

Existing childminders are also to be offered financial support, with grants of up to £500 announced to help with the cost of living.

Jersey Association of Childcarers Vice-Chair Christina Jandron said the organisation was "really excited about the funding", adding: "This will be well received and the JACC will be there to provide quality childcare training to new childminders, to ensure the children of Jersey are getting the best quality home-based childcare and within the statutory requirements."

"We feel it’s a great incentive for the childminding community, and grateful our profession is held in such a high regard in bridging the current childcare shortage," she added.

Deputy Louise Doublet, who has political responsibility for early years and families in her role as Assistant Children's Minister, announced the grants this morning.

Pictured: Assistant Children's Minister, Deputy Louise Doublet.

She said: “Listening to parents, carers and those who work in the important sector of childcare I have heard about the need for more childcare spaces and the financial hurdles to becoming a childminder. Whilst this will not solve all of these challenges in isolation, it is a step in the right direction.

“Early Years are a hugely important part of a child’s development, and parents or carers want to know that if they choose a childminder for their child or children, they are in the best possible hands. It is advantageous if there is a strong pool of childminders, to provide high quality care and choice.

"Childminding is a rewarding and unique career which can benefit the whole community and I would urge anyone who has been thinking about registering as a childminder to consider coming forward.”

The £1,200 grants will be available to to childminder applicants currently waiting to be registered and to future applicants.

Nurseries across the island have also recently reported struggling with staff shortages as a result of a post-covid career exodus and graduates failing to enter the workforce. Earlier this month, the Home Affairs Minister signed off on a policy change allowing them to look further afield for recruits.

Work permits can now "be issued to "third country nationals with the necessary skills, qualifications and experience required for the Jersey Early Years sector" for a salary of £30,000 or above.