It is ’unacceptable’ the Isle of Man has no statutory provision for pre-schools, according to Children’s Champion Daphne Caine.

Mrs Caine’s annual report was submitted to the Council of Ministers last summer, but it has only just been published.

The availability of pre-school and nursery provision is under investigation by Tynwald’s social affairs policy review committee and, at a recent hearing, current Education Minister Graham Cregeen described the decision in 2012 to close the island’s 11 state-run pre-schools as a ’very rushed and ill-thought-out policy’.

Garff MHK Mrs Caine, who was appointed to the role to monitor government departments and ensure children’s interests were represented, says in her report: ’It is unacceptable that there is no statutory provision for under-fives.

’Perhaps this will be addressed in the forthcoming Education Bill.’

She points out the Department of Education, Sport and Culture is not required to provide any services.

’This led to the decision by the previous administration to cut state funded pre-schools, which I believe is having a continuing impact on some children,’ she adds.

’The issue with nurseries is that they should provide education and not just childcare for three-four-year-olds.’

She adds: ’Two nurseries have gained a quality mark on the island - surely others should be encouraged to aspire to this?

’However, with nurseries assessed more on their facilities than educational curriculum, there needs to be a change in policy.

’What is needed is an integrated workforce, breaking down department siloes to ensure planning, attracting, developing and retaining a highly skilled early years’ workforce.’

Some of the issues referred to in Mrs Caine’s report, including the need for new measures safeguarding children and allegations over the children’s family services division have seen reports published and debated in the time between her document being submitted to the Council of Ministers and published.

A Safeguarding Bill, which will put the island’s safeguarding board onto a statutory footing, has just received a third reading in the Legislative Council.

In her foreword, Mrs Caine addresses Chief Minister Howard Quayle about her experiences over 2016-17.

’Issues raised in the first 10 months have ranged from bullying and health issues to perceived gaps in social legislation and funding for early years education and support,’ she says. ’Most recently religious education in schools and the infringement of parental rights in respect of home education have been areas of concern to many.’

The DESC has been accused of introducing religious segregation over its plans to move pupils from St Thomas’ Church of England School in Douglas, where the building is not fit for purpose, into Scoill Vallajeelt, but for the two schools to ’co-exist’ separately on one site.

A row is also brewing over the Education Bill and whether parents who choose to home school their children should be required to submit an annual report to the DESC.

Mrs Cine observes: ’The prospect of more regulation on home educators is causing anxiety to parents and children who home educate on the Isle of Man.’