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JEYA response to The Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel
Early Years Policy and Funding
JEYA represents all daycare settings in the non-maintained/charitable sector This response is in two parts:-
The first part with reference to the Findings and Recommendations of the previous Children, Education and Home Affairs Panel; Government Plan 2021-2024 Review.
The second part with reference to Early Years Policy and Funding. Part 1
Finding 3
Pupil Premium has not been considered or extended to Early Years in the non-maintained sector despite children in this sector meeting criteria. JEYA has representation on Best Start however despite this situation being pointed out to BS it was not taken forward.
Finding 6
JEYA is working with Skills Jersey and is part of a skills oversight group.
JEYA has voiced concern, and still has concern, for the quality of student enrolled by Highlands College for the Certificate and Diploma courses in Childcare. Career teachers habitually suggest childcare to school leavers who have limited academic qualifications. This is not putting children first, importantly young children first.
The degree course is used by students as a pathway to teaching.
The non-maintained sector is facing a staffing crisis with few well qualified and experienced staff in the sector
There has been little knowledge and appetite to explore alternative pathways such as pedagogy to support the development of young children, however the formation of an early years working party is a positive move.
Part 2, Early Years Policy and Funding
The EY Policy and Development Final Report to the Chief Minister JEYA considers to be bias toward education.
There is small mention of under 3yr olds in daycare, the focus appearing to be NEF children as this is when they begin to attend school.
JEYA was not invited to present to the Board despite repeated requests to have direct input at strategic level. The Chair of Best Start and the senior level executives in the Education Dept assured JEYA it would be represented through BS. JEYA has no evidence that this happened.
There was no direct consultation with JEYA concerning the increase of NEF hrs to 30hrs per week and how this would impact on the way settings functioned and, more importantly, expertise wasn't sought from the sector which works directly with working parents and cares for children from birth to 5yrs old.
JEYA's response, had it been consulted, would be for the additional 10hrs available only to children in school nurseries be made available to children in the non-maintained sector, as it should have been from the start and then for support to be available to 2yr olds in daycare. At present there is little support to 2yr olds in daycare at a time in a child's life when early intervention can be most effective.
JEYA recognises that Government funding cannot be used to directly fund private businesses.
Graduate salaries are beyond some of the settings and any additional costs are passed on to parents
JEYA is concerned for the quality and development of staff in the childcare sector.
JEYA considers it important that the assumption is not made that teachers are the people to best support the childcare sector. Care should not be directly linked to teaching, there are other routes to ensure the under 5yr olds in Jersey are put first. JEYA welcomes the creation of an early years working party.
JEYA welcomes Policy 6 of the EYPDB Report and seeks assurance that a transformation fund will be adequately resourced.