A draft Childcare Strategy has been published by the Isle of Man Government as part of its Island Plan.

The strategy was presented in Tynwald on Tuesday by Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for Enterprise.

Former outspoken children’s champion Daphne Caine MHK questioned why the Department for Enterprise was seemingly at the helm of the plan, and pondered whether the strategy was genuinely ‘putting the child first, rather than putting the private nursery businesses first’.

She called for state provided pre-schools – which were dismantled ten years ago – to be phased back in.

Mrs Caine quit the role of children’s champion in May 2018, after the government decided to slash her remit, telling then chief minister Howard Quayle in her resignation letter that, given the changes, she could do more by working from the ranks.

Dr Allinson disputed that the DfE was leading the strategy, instead stating that they are ‘working with other departments and coordinating cross-departmental policy’.

With regards to state pre-schools, Dr Allinson stressed that views would be welcomed via a public consultation which will launch later this month.

The government has said that the strategy explores the importance of childcare and early years education, how the present situation in the Isle of Man compares to other jurisdictions, and sets out a future framework to address current challenges.

The draft strategy identifies two ‘strategic pillars’ – putting the child first, and ensuring every parent has a choice - and seven themes for development:

Equality of opportunity and access

Identification of those with adverse childhood experience

Improve quality outcomes for children in early years

Improving access to childcare

Support and enable childcare providers to develop and expand

Mitigate staffing pressures

Enabling and supporting flexibility

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said: ‘The importance of early years childcare should not be underestimated, and for the first time we have pulled together various strands of work across government to provide a comprehensive framework and set of actions to deliver real change in this space.

‘This includes considerations around supporting providers so that they can increase the number of places available, raising standards to include educational outcomes and importantly looking at how we can ensure parents have more choice.

‘However, this is just the start of our work. We are now issuing the draft document to promote further consultation and ensure that we have captured all of the challenges and opportunities specific to our people and businesses here in the Isle of Man.

‘We would welcome feedback from all areas of society, and will be reaching out directly to key stakeholders including Tynwald Members, the Chamber of Commerce, and nursery and childcare providers to ensure we have an inclusive and endorsed final document.’

The Education Minister, Julie Edge MHK, added: ‘The overarching vision of our Island Plan is to build a secure, vibrant and sustainable future for our island nation, where every child has access to excellent education and childcare, giving our children the best possible start in life.

The draft strategy will be finalised and brought back to Tynwald in July.

A Tynwald committee investigate nursery provision in 2018. Click here to read more.