Guernsey childcarers must pay new charge

New charges have been introduced for private nurseries, pre-schools, creches and childminders in Guernsey. It will cover the cost of Health and Social Services Department registering and inspecting the facilities.

The fee for centres will depend on the number of children looked after and childminders face a £50 flat fee.

Deputy Barry Brehaut, whose department brought the motion, said he was confident businesses would be able to afford it.

He said: “These are successful thriving businesses… my concern is that we don’t want any of these organisations passing on a disproportionate cost to the parents and that is what we want to watch out for.”

Under the new system re-registration would take place every two years.

The department said while the fees may seem high, especially for larger businesses, when the timing of the payments was taken into account the figures were “less onerous” than some aspects of systems in Jersey, Isle of Man, England, Wales and Scotland.

Those organisations fully funded by charitable means will be exempt from the charges, but any that are part-funded would have to pay.

In 2006 the States agreed to introduce a similar system of charges for the inspection of care homes.

These charges were phased in, something the department had decided not to do this time round.

It also included provisions for any increase in the retail price index between now and the date when the proposals are brought in.

Registration and renewal charges
Childminders £50

Nurseries…
up to 10 children £200
11-20 children £250
21-40 children £300
41-60 children £350
61-80 children £400
81 or more children £450

Pre-schools and creches…
up to 10 children £100
11-20 children £150
21-40 children £200
41-60 children £250
61-80 children £300
81 or more children £350