From Colin Powell, chairman, Jersey Child Care Trust.
I READ with considerable dismay your headline ‘£69 million in the black, but no more care cash’ (JEP, 15 July).

In spite of the Trust’s efforts through written representations to the Council of Ministers, and our inviting to the Island an international expert, Dr John Bennett, who addressed the Council, clearly we have not convinced ministers, or States Members generally, of the fundamental importance of investing in our children from their earliest years.

We thought we had reached an important milestone when the Council of Ministers included in the Strategic Plan 2006-2011 the statement ‘that all forms of investment in the Island’s children from the earliest years are an important and necessary investment in the Island’s future’. It is disappointing that this has not yet been followed by positive action.

The experience of other countries has shown the benefit of investment in early years childcare and education.
• These benefits include:
• Improved academic performance.
• Reduced requirement for supporting special needs.
• Enhanced social skills.
• A reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour
• Improved life skills and job satisfaction.

In particular, experience elsewhere has shown that many of the problems surrounding the activities of young people have their roots in a lack of adequate investment and support made available to children in the formative years. Research in other countries has shown that the years 0-3 are of part-icular importance in this respect.

There is undoubtedly good quality early years childcare and education being provided by both the public and private sectors. However, while some are benefiting from the free early years childcare and education provided for three to four-year-olds in States nurseries, and others have to pay for it in the private sector; all have to pay for early years childcare and education from 0-3; and because some parents cannot meet the cost of good quality private childcare there is evidence that so me children are being cared for in far less satisfactory situations.

There is currently also no certainty that those enjoying the free facilities provided by the public sector are those in greatest need, and yet experience elsewhere shows that the children from disadvantaged backgrounds need early years childcare and education more than those who are more advantaged.

In the Netherlands, for example, the funding support for childcare facilities embodies extra funding for disadvantaged children.

The most successful countries also provide for universal access to services to ensure that the most disadvantaged access these services as well as receive the financial support required.

What is needed is general acceptance that what we provide for children from their earliest years is of fundamental importance for their future, and that of the Island. No one questions that education beyond the age of five should be free; yet the benefit obtained from that education is greatly enhanced by good quality early years childcare and education being provided for those aged 0-4. This is well recognised in many other jurisdictions.

Funds are rightly being made available in support of education for those aged 5-18 and for university education, but we are neglecting the position of those aged 0-4 at a future cost not just to the children but also to the community at large.

The Trust believes that Island children deserve the best. This calls for qualified nursery staff, quality accommodation and other facilities, adequate financial support (particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds) and a range of opportunities to cater for the different needs of the families involved.

Above all, it calls for universal access to a good quality service from which all children can benefit equally. It is fundamentally important, therefore, that the States give greater priority to early years childcare and education in the allocation of States resources — because children are our future.

Perhaps a Minister for Children, as proposed by Andrew Williamson, would be more successful than the Trust has been to date in getting this message accepted by the Council of Ministers and the States generally.
The Bridge,
Le Geyt Road,
St Saviour.