THERE will be free nursery places for all three- and four-year-olds from next September after the States overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the Business Plan on Friday.

Politicians voted by 42 to two with one abstention to support the proposal after nearly two hours of debate. The proposal will create a public-private partnership that Education Minister Mike Vibert said would save £7 million in capital expenditure, as it would mean the States no longer having to build new nursery classes in schools.

All parents will be able to put their children into nursery schools for up to 20 hours each week free of charge.
The amendment was proposed by the Council of Ministers and was one of a number added to the Business Plan within the last couple of weeks.

In his opening address, Senator Vibert said that there were currently 17 high-quality nursery classes in Island primary schools providing 510 full-time equivalent places. However, he said the policy of building nursery classes onto schools, though well-intentioned, had led to inequity. The two Members who voted against were Deputies Sarah Ferguson and John Le Fondré, and Deputy Gerard Baudains abstained.

• Picture: Children at one of the States’ nurseries, St Clement’s. Free places will also be provided at privately run establishments