Free childcare hours to now include childminders

Parents and carers will be able to use 15 hours of free childcare allowance on registered childminders, Guernsey's government has said.

The States said the new option would be available from the start of the autumn term this year.

It will mean parents and carers can use up to 15 hours of free pre-school education per week in the year before their children start at reception class on registered childminders, as well as pre-schools and nurseries.

The Committee for Education, Sports and Culture said it would give parents more options and they could split the hours across two providers.

The free hours cover term time only and would be available to families with a joint household income of £150,000 or less.

Ruth Sharp, the head of the early years team, said: "Research consistently reveals the positive impact high-quality pre-school provision can have on children's long-term development and learning."

She said childminders offered care in a smaller setting, providing another option for families.

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