Report outlines improvements to early years care

"Providing children with the best possible start to life is a key priority," Mr Ward said

The government has published a report outlining ways to offer high-quality, affordable early education and care to families in Jersey.

It comes from round-table discussions between stakeholders to better understand obstacles faced by the early years sector.

The 28 stakeholders included people working in early education and childcare, family and parent support organisations, employers, government officials and parents.

A series of key findings was developed for ministers to "make the system fairer and more inclusive", Education Minister Rob Ward said.

'Best possible start'

Facilitated by the Isos Partnership, the stakeholders considered a series of principles for policy makers to improve the early years system.

These principles included a need to be joined-up, to make a clearer offer to parents, to empower parents and to develop a sustainable model for change.

Deputy Ward said: "Providing children with the best possible start to life is a key priority.

"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.”