Parents can now apply for childcare funding

Jersey parents are now able to apply for a new childcare funding scheme worth thousands of pounds for two to three year olds.

The government said parents of a child eligible from January to August 2026 could apply for up to £4,180, and parents of children eligible for a full school year from the 1 September 2026 would be able to apply for up to £6,270.

It said for parents to apply they would need their social security number and tax identification number, the child's social security number, and a payment receipt from the registered nursery or childminder.

Once the application was approved parents would receive payments within four weeks.

The government said only receipts included with the application form could be accepted, not invoices.

Any parent could receive childcare funding, regardless of their income and employment or residential status, it said.

Eligible families would still have to pay upfront and be reimbursed later, after a budget amendment to pay nurseries directly was rejected.

The Jersey Child Care Trust said it was concerned some people would not be able to afford that so said it would pay the funds upfront for those who needed it.

The Government of Jersey said parents could apply at any time during the period their child was eligible, and has posted more details online about the fund and how to apply.

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