Education in last-ditch bid to sign pre-schools
LAST-DITCH talks are being held between pre-schools and Education as a large number of providers have refused to sign up to pre-school funding arrangements in time.
Education had set a strict deadline, which closed yesterday, for the island's 30-plus pre-schools and nurseries to agree to its 'partnership agreement', but it has been forced to extend negotiations with providers on an 'individual basis' up until 22 April.
The disquiet comes ahead of Education's plans to introduce 15 hours a week of free pre-school for three- and four-year-olds from the start of next year.
A large number of providers got together on the eve of Education's deadline to discuss their concerns and later secured the extra few days to address remaining issues and reservations.
Education, however, has now warned it cannot accept any further delay – beyond this limited extension – if it is to meet its timeframe to introduce free pre-schooling from next year.
Education deputy minister Richard Conder, pictured, said that if enough private providers did not sign up, the department would have to ensure there were enough spaces for all children through States provision.
