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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Early Years Roundtable report published

27 March 2024

The Government has published a report which identifies how future early years policy needs to evolve to support the best possible outcomes for children.

The Early Years Roundtable was facilitated by the Isos Partnership and involved a series of discussions with stakeholders, held between November 2023 and January 2024.

The ambition of the roundtables was to identify ways in which a new approach to early years in Jersey could help deliver high quality, affordable early education and care, that meet the challenges faced by families and how this would benefit the Island.

The stakeholders considered a selection of overarching principles for policy makers to help relieve pressure and expectation on the existing early years system.

These principles include:

  • a need to be holistic and joined-up
  • a need for a clearer offer to families
  • a need to empower parents
  • a need to build on existing strengths
  • a need to develop a sustainable model for change

The discussions have allowed stakeholders to better understand the obstacles faced by the early years sector and develop a series of key findings for ministers and Government. The stakeholders found that more effective engagement with parents and carers would lead to a clearer understanding of families’ needs and choices.

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, said: “I’d like to thank the many, many people who contributed their time and expertise to these discussions, and for their openness, honesty, and desire to see our children have the best possible outcomes.

“Providing children with the best possible start to life is a key priority and these findings will be used to inform future early years policy work and to suggest improvements that will make the system fairer and more inclusive for the whole community.”

The ISOS Partnership said: “As independent facilitators, we were struck by the strong commitment, momentum and good will from all partners across the roundtable conversations.”

Twenty-four early years stakeholders were involved in the discussions, which included representatives from early education and childcare, public health, third sector, family and parent support organisations, employers, government officials, and parents.

The report is available on the Government of Jersey website, via Early Years Policy work.

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