FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

24 March 2021

ExCo approves to progress legislation for Childcare Subsidy Scheme

ExCo has agreed to bring the existing childcare subsidy scheme, which was introduced in October 2018, into law. The scheme was developed in order to help support registered providers of childcare and childminders to increase the quality of their services by providing subsidy payments based on improved standards of care. The payments have enabled providers to meet the national minimum standards without requiring parents to pay more for childcare.

This move will put the scheme on a sound legal footing and will clearly set out the eligibility for subsidies and establish the legal powers for FIG to pay these. It will also allow for the grading of registered providers, enable appeals and permit penalties for false statements in support of an application.

MLA Stacy Bragger, portfolio lead for Education, said: “This is a very positive step forward for both parents and childcare providers, and builds on the work already done to raise standards without requiring parents to pay more. When we talk about ensuring better outcomes for children, this has to start in their earliest years, so I am very pleased that ExCo has agreed that the scheme should be anchored in the law.”

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ENDS