About the Childcare and Early Years Service

​​About us

The Childcare and Early Years Service (CEYS) is part of the Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES). We're responsible for:

• the registration and regulation of childcare providers
• support the development of high quality practice
• providing equal opportunities for all children regardless of their needs
• respond to complaints made against registered providers in relation to their quality of care and investigate allegations of unregistered childcare

CEYS works in partnership with other Government departments and organisations in assuring that care and quality standards for children are met throughout. 

Our core values and principles

Our core values and principles are:

• children’s voices and rights are embedded and promoted through everyday activity
• equality of opportunity for children and families
• respectful and reciprocal relationships 
• working together in partnership with families and communities
• effective leadership and self-evaluation
• securing quality and standards that enable all children to thrive

Registration and regulation

Our team of registration and regulation officers ensure all providers meet and maintain compliance with the articles of the Day Care of Children (Jersey) Law, 2002 and requirements set out under the regulatory frameworks. See information for registered providers or how to become a registered provider for more information.

Quality development

Our advisory team offers support, training and development opportunities to childcare providers and schools in delivering high quality play, care and educational experiences. The recently introduced Quality Frameworks are used as self evaluation to assist in improving practice.

Early Years Inclusion Team

The Early Years Inclusion Team (EYIT) offers support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities aged 0 to 5 years. This team helps and advises families at home, private nurseries and pre-schools. They work together with other Government departments and other organisations to ensure early intervention is linked between services. For more information see The Early Years Inclusion Team.

Early Childhood Education and Care Survey

Read an independent survey carried out by 4insight, on behalf of CYPES and the Best Start Partnership.​

Early Childhood Education and Care Survey

Law and regulations

The Day Care of Children (Jersey) Law, 2002, provides the legal framework to determine the specific requirements that must be met and maintained by registered childcare providers.

CEYS has the responsibility of implementing statutory standards under this law to ensure children in their care are safe, supported and included. These principles are reflected in three sets of statutory requirements specifically relating to the type of registered childcare provision.

Who needs to register

Childcare providers must apply to become registered if the intention is to operate under certain conditions. There are also exceptions for which registration is not required. Information can be found in how to become a registered provider.

Types of childcare providers

The different types of childcare providers are:

• early years settings
  
• childhood settings
  
• childminders
• nannies
• au pairs
  

Early Years settings

An Early Years setting is an organisation providing Early Childhood Education and Care from non-domestic premises. It specifically operates for children under the age of 5 and may be a preschool or day nursery. Early Years settings need to be registered.

Childhood settings

A Childhood setting looks after children age 3 years (pre-school year) to 12 years and provides care based on play and development. There are three different types of Childhood settings:

• single activity club offering a single activity to children. This could be an art club, a drama club, a nature club, a digital club, an adventure club or sports based club
  
• play work/multi activity club is an after school or breakfast club, a holiday club, or a combination of all three. It Provides care for children between the ages of 3 (pre-school year) and 12 years
  
• early childhood care is one aspect of Childhood Provision for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children, which takes place outside of the nursery and school day
  

Depending on their hours of operation and conditions, childhood settings may need to be registered.

Childminders

Childminders provide care in their own home (domestic premises) for children from birth to 12 years of age. As they're self-employed business owners, service agreements are between parents/carers and the childminder. Childminders require to be registered.

Nannies

Nannies are generally employed by and work within the family home of the children they care for and do not need to be registered under the law. An accreditation scheme is available for those wishing to hold an accredited status which provides assurance that they're meeting required standards. 

Find out how to become an accredited nanny.

Au pairs

Au pairs generally work for and live at a host family and do not require to be registered. Such arrangements usually involve a share of the family’s responsibility for childcare and domestic tasks, and the au pair would receive a monetary allowance. Au pairs do not need to be registered.

Find our more information on how to become a registered provider

CEYS Privacy Policy

As both data processor and controller, CEYS have a duty to use and hold the information you provide in accordance with the Data Protection Law 2018.

Childcare and Early Years Service Departmenr Privacy Policy

Our partners

Jersey Childcare Trust (JCCT)

The JCCT is an independent charity helping families access the care and learning opportunities they need for children to thrive. In addition to providing information and services to families, policy makers, childcare providers and other professionals, it also promotes high quality, affordable childcare for families in Jersey.

Jersey Association of Child Carers (J.A.C.C.)

J.A.C.C. is an organisation supporting childminders and parents. Childminders who are members can advertise their service and availabilities by way of personal profiles. The association also works in partnership with CEYS to support applicants and registered childminders.

Best Start Partnership

The Best Start Partnership brings together a wide range of stakeholders in a single body. It draws on the voices of children and families with local representatives from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors to provide unique insights representing the interests of children in the development, implementation and evaluation of government strategy and policy.