Early Years - to States Members re Early Years Amendment Debate - Submission - 5 September 2007

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Subject: 18 September- Voting date for free universal nursery Education

Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 19:43:51 +0000

Dear All States members

On the 18th September you will be discussing and voting for free universal nursery education for the Island's 3-4 year olds, this is an important subject and needs careful consideration.

The current system that we have in place is very unfair and is not an equal playing field. The states offer freenursery places at their nurseries for somechildren and other children in the private sector have to pay.

I support the proposal and would like to see all 3-4 year olds treated fairly and be able to access the foundation stage of learning.

I am asking you as a parent to support this proposal. Thank you for your time.

Regards

Zoe Bisson

Regarding the pending vote on free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old for 20 hours per week beginning in September 2008.

I would like to encourage to you support this proposal.

Currently my children are not obtaining discounted / free education from the ages of 3 to 4. I have had to personally finance this myself and have firmly believed for a number of years that the States should make changes / implement a policy of equality.

I fully accept there are cases where by the States have to support families in difficult circumstances - and rightly so and this must continue. But in most situations it can be 'first come, first served' or 'knowing the right people' to get your child into pre-school education. I am also aware of families who simply cannot afford to pay for private nursery education - in some cases this must prove detrimental terms of primary education to the child and enabling parents to return to work.

Offering 20 hour a week, free / funded education in term time to 3 to 4 year olds is vital for our children's primary education and balancing the rights of the Jersey residence.

Regards, Paul Wilson

I very much support the proposal to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Regards,

Lorraine F Wheeler

Please place this as a vote to support free childcare.

"Every child in Jersey should have the opportunity to grow up in an Island that values children and families. The realisation of this is dependent upon government which recognises that the education and care of children is a shared responsibility between family and the community.

A quality early childhood education and care experience can supplement good parenting and have positive long-term benefits on children's lives. This is in turn leads to significant benefits for society".

Trudi Roscouet

Dear All

We would like to register our support for 20 hours free nursery places for children from 3 years old.

Regards Tracy Dornan Hello,

We support the proposal being put forward on 18 September 2007 to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008. This will be attainable by investing in a partnership with the private and non-profit making sectors. At present about half of our 3 to 4 year olds are able to access free nursery education provision and half are denied this opportunity.

"Every child in Jersey should have the opportunity to grow up in an Island that values children and families. The realisation of this is dependent upon government which recognises that the education and care of children is a shared responsibility between family and the community. A quality early childhood education and care experience can supplement good parenting and have positive long-term benefits on children's lives. This is in turn leads to significant benefits for society".

Kind regards

Grant & Tracey & Cameron Newton

Dear all,

I have noticed that there is a forthcoming vote on 18 September regarding nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds and understand that the proposal is to offer 20 free hours a week in term time from September 2008 for those children eligible.

This will put all parents with children of this age on a level playing field and will therefore be a solution for those currently not able to obtain a free states place for their children and make this fairer all round.

It is essential that we invest in the future of our children and I strongly urge you to support this vote. This is a small price to pay to support the education of the young children in Jersey.

Regards

Gary Thirkettle

From: Sian Waite

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Good Morning

I am sending this email in FULL support of the proposal for 20 free hours of nursery education for 3 to 4 year olds.

I am a working mother and currently have a child that is almost 3 in a private nursery. I have previously sent an email to the scrutiny panel with regards to my situation and I do hope that there is a positive outcome to this proposal.

Not investing in the next generation for the future of this island would be a HUGE mistake.

I look forward to hearing the outcome. As I am sure lots of other parents and future parents are!! Regards

Mrs S Ibbotson

I would like to register my support for the proposal to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Thanks!

Regards Sally Hazley

I would like to register my support for the proposal to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Kind regards, Samantha Olliver

Myself and my family wholeheartedly support the vote for all children in Jersey to have access to free nursery education.

Our daughter was denied a pre-school place due to oversubscription not just at the preferred pre-school chosen in our catchment area but island wide. I was informed that over 170 children did not receive a place, so 170 families have been penalised due to the States lack of provision which is diabolical. I was made aware that some parents were awarded full-time places even though they had requested part-time, this is a place another child could have been given. The selection process is totally wrong, the States are denying children the right to a proper educational start. The States have denied me and other parents the right to return to work, the right for my youngest child to interact with other children (toddler groups cost aswell) I have two children and could therefore not afford to pay for two nursery places. My children are paramount, it is

about time that Jersey made the same choice. Penni Ball

"Every child in Jersey should have the opportunity to grow up in an Island that values children and families. The realisation of this is dependent upon government which recognises that the education and care of children is a shared responsibility between family and the community. A quality early childhood education and care experience can supplement good parenting and have positive long-term benefits on children's lives. This is in turn leads to significant benefits for society".

I am writing to you all to state that I strong agree with the above statement. As a working parent, with two children, I have had to use childcare facilities for the last 6 years. I feel that it is only fair that children/families who are not lucky enough to receive a free School Nursery place have subsidized fees. Having been a parent who, in the past, not managed to receive one of these placed I feel very disheartened. I have always worked since having my children but feel that you get subsidized for doing so. I urge all states member to do the right thing and vote in favour of providing 20 hours per week free childcare (term-time) to all 3-4 year olds.

Kind regards

Mrs Rebecca Richards

On the 18th September 2007 the States Assembly will vote on the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008. This will be attainable by investing in a partnership with the private and non-profit making sectors. At present about half of our 3 to 4 year olds are able to access free nursery education provision and half are denied this opportunity.

I totally support the call for free nursery education for this age group and would request that you vote accordingly

Mrs Susan Kett Dear States Members,

States Debate Tuesday 18th September

I write on behalf of a Jersey Charitable Trust, recipients of funding from Jersey Overseas Aid for our school building projects in Kenya.

The education provision for the children of Jersey must rank amongst the best in the world, something that we can be proud of. Any additional provision deemed necessary or desireable should not be made at the expensive of the worlds poorest, most vulnerable and deprived children, who are very often the recipients of Jersey Overseas Aid funding. Just £2,500 of JOA money can, and has, paid for the building of a classroom for 40 primary school children transforming their learning environment from a damp, crumbling mud hut to a bright and spacious classroom room, so improving cademic performance and life opportunities (photos attached). Many such projects will not happen if the grant to Overseas Aid Commision is cut.

I would request you oppose this proposition to reduce JOAC's already agreed grant, and so safeguard these funds for the world's poorest children and communities.

Yours faithfully,

Nick Touzel

Trustee

I would like to register my support for the proposal to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008. Thanks!

Natalie Ruellan

Dear members,

 I note the forthcoming vote on free nursery education on 18th September. The proposal is to offer from September 2008 those eligible (3 & 4 year olds) 20 free nursery education term time.

This will offer those currently not able to obtain a free states place for their children a fairer option.

It is vital that we invest in the future of our children and I strongly urge you to support this vote. In real terms it is a small price to pay.

Thank you

Iain MacKenzie

To All States Members

As a working Mother of two and a campaigner for the last four years in support of this proposal I would urge you all to vote in favour on the 18th September.

This is a chance for the States to invest in its future – our children. The result of your vote in favour will have a positive impact on every aspect of Island life and will in the long term be for the benefit of the community as a whole.

I urge you to vote with your heart and your conscience and not your back pocket! Best regards

Laurie

Mrs Laurie MacKenzie

I would like to register my support for the proposal to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Thanks!

With best regards Lucy

Dear All

We would like to register our support for 20 hours free nursery places for children from 3 years old.

Regards

Lisa and Carl Le Brocq

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008. Mrs L. de Gruchy

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Thanks!

Lee Taylor

From: kris.dorey

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Thanks!

I strongly support this proposal as I think it is really important for all children aged 3-4 to have the opportunity to attend a nursery free of charge. As parents we struggle to cover the cost of nursery fee's and I think this is a great opportunity for children to interact with other children of a similar age.

Katie Nelson

I am emailing you all to ask to you to support the proposal for nursery places for all ¾ year olds for 20 hours per week. The system at the moment is totally unfair and although I welcome the preschools at States schools making starting school not nearly so much of a drama I do understand that the larger schools cannot have places for all of their catchment at nursery level and therefore some recompense should be offered to those who are unable to get their children into their catchment area school nursery.

Regards

Julie Hi,

I would like to register my support for the proposal to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Regards,

Jon

Has there ever been a more unfair system in place regarding free nursery spaces for a handful of Islanders children (the lucky ones) ! I am a working mother of two trying to do the right thing by going back to work and not draining the social security pot! However, by doing this I seem to be worse off than those who decide not to work and have the luxury of their child care being funded at the States expense! However, light at the end of the tunnel is the slight chance of a space at a school nursery (fingers crossed), but no – this was not the case and no surprise quite frankly! After years of campaigning for a fairer system, please do not let us working mothers down vote for 20 hours free childcare for all ¾ year olds.

PS: Another idea would be in-house childcare for States employees to encourage staff to return to work and to help those dedicated to their jobs, who don't really get any incentives like the private sector, but still provide an excellent and efficient service for the general public.

Many thanks. Kind regards, Jodie Elder

I urge you as an elected states minister to support Senator Mike Vibert 's proposal to provide free universal nursery education for all 3/5 year olds.

This will end the present system whereby half of our 3-5 year olds are able to access free nursery education and the other half are denied this opportunity.

It is well documented that quality early childhood education has a positive long term benefit on children's lives and therefore the future generation.

It has taken over 4 years of campaigning by parents to end this unfair situation so please support this proposal for the future generation

Janice Baker

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Children starting school without a nursery background do not have the same social skills therefore some children are being unfairly penalised and this can greatly affect their education. Currently it is a lottery for places. I have 8 month old twins and because we were moving house have not yet applied. I am already concerned that I have left it too late and will they get places.

Please help change this unfair and unjust system and support Mike Vibert in his proposal. Jeni Hampton

I would like to state my support for the proposal to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all ¾ year olds.

I think the government does not do nearly enough to support families with young children, and as a mother who works full time I know personally how hard it is to find affordable child care.

We need to do more as an island if we want single mothers to return to work and free childcare for ¾ year olds is a good start!

Kay Gouyette

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Thank you Gayla Bridge

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Yours incerely Gabby Ellmers

I would like to give my support the proposal below.

To provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008

Thanks & regards Eamon Bermingham

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Thank you.

Karen Dorey Dear Sirs

I am writing as a parent and a tax payer. I would like to state my support for free universal nursery education' for 3 and 4 years old in Jersey. I do not understand why a lottery system is utilised when the education of the next generation is paramount and as such should be equal to all children not just the select few however they are selected. Knowledge is a currency which should not be undermined by the £!

Your faithfully Colette English

Hello,

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008. Thanks!

Vanessa Clayson Hi,

I would like to register my support for the proposal to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Regards, Christian

I strongly agree with this proposal as I think its really important that all children aged 3-4 get the opportunity to attend nursery free of charge because at such a young age they are like sponges and learn from every experience they encounter, and if they are interacting with other children they are learning social skills which is important these days to create a better society. Most people cannot afford to pay the nursery charges or struggle to pay these charges but it should be available to all people no matter what there financial state! Chiara day

From: Carys Williams

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

From: Barbara

Subject: Registering my support for free nursery education for all; 3-4 year olds in Jersey.

I would like to register my support for the proposal to to provide the opportunity for free universal nursery education for all 3 / 4 years old, 20 hours per week, term time beginning in September 2008.

Thank you Andrea Simoncelli