INVESTMENT of £15.5million will be used to develop 12 new children's centres in Blackburn and Darwen and create 600 childcare places.

It is a scheme which falls in line with government targets and will build on existing initiatives such as Sure Start, Neighbourhood Nurseries, the foundation stage curriculum and free nursery education places for all three and four-year-olds -- a target Lancashire County Council aims to hit by summer 2003. But niggling doubts remain among some.

Chairman of school governors, Valerie Jones, was delighted when the school was recently listed for praise by the chief Ofsted inspector in his annual report. She believes their recent success now stands for nothing and is wary of change.

"Instead of teachers having control of teaching, it will be social services who have as much say. Ofsted has always cited the best education centres are those led by qualified headteachers.

"Come September the size and success of the school will be organised on a free-flow basis which means children of all ages and abilities will be together making teaching very difficult. It is a

But the school was today reassured by Blackburn with Darwen Council that the new service will bring together high quality nursery education, childcare, family support and health services.

Councillor Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning, said: "I'm very disappointed with these comments as these plans will bring considerable investment and improved opportunities. The exciting plans for our Early Years services in the borough are based on what parents and families have said they wanted in major consultation we've done. It's inaccurate to suggest these plans will reduce the quality of provision on offer because by investing on the site we will improve services and choices. Parents and children will have more nursery places available, extended opening hours and more family support services."

And Simon Jones, Blackburn with Darwen secretary for the National Union of Teachers, said the council had made a "public guarantee" that early years education would continue to be given by qualified teachers. He said: "We've pushed the council hard on this issue and have had reassurances that all teachers' jobs will be safe. It is not all rosy but this represents a significant achievement."

The Lancashire County Council has also set out to create 790 new Neighbourhood Nursery places, a further 1,446 Out of School childcare places and 721 childminding places.