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12
WQ.92/2018
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 26th JUNE 2018
Question
Further to my oral question to her predecessor on 9th April 2018 (OQ.61/2018), will the Minister examine the answer provided and give an update on the current status of the Jersey Early Learning Literacy Years (J.E.L.L.Y.) club and the provision of such early learning programmes in the States and voluntary sectors?
Answer
The Jersey Early Learning Literacy Years clubs (J.E.L.L.Y) are no longer in operation. As stated in the Minister for Education's answer to Deputy Southern on 9th April 2018 (OQ.61/2018), the number of
J.E.L.L.Y clubs had been reduced from 14 to 4. The clubs were not in a position to offer a whole island approach to supporting parents with early literacy and therefore it was decided investment would be better utilised to develop alternative provision. Making it REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) and Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme) are two evidence based programmes that are currently being delivered.
The Education Department through its Childcare and Early Years team is working in partnership with the National Children's Bureau to deliver "Making it REAL"- an approach to working with schools and settings to engage with parents to support their child's early development. All schools and private settings have been given the opportunity to have practitioners trained in this approach with funding available to deliver events and activities with children and families. To date the majority of schools have been engaged with over a hundred people from schools, settings and other organisations being trained.
Highlands College tutors delivering Early Years and Childhood qualifications and Health Visitors are also being trained. This recognises an important step forward in working together for the benefit of students, families, schools and settings in delivering a consistent, high quality offer.
Schools are also being actively encouraged to prioritise early language and communication initiatives for eligible Jersey premium children and fund their own parent workshops that endorse the principles of JELLY using their REAL trained practitioners.
Triple P delivery is co-ordinated by the Parenting Support Service within the Education department and offers opportunities for parents to develop their parenting skills in a number of areas and supports a population level approach to supporting parents. The delivery of Triple P parenting programmes started in April 2018 and since then over 340 parents have accessed parenting support through this approach. These numbers increase weekly as events are happening on a regular basis. Evidence based outcomes from Triple P include supporting parents to provide a positive learning environment for their children.