SHARE and share alike! That's the Bury Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership which, with nine others across Greater Manchester ,is benefiting from the county's Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Since March, Greater Manchester's LSC has been working closely with the ten Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs) across its geographical area.

Both have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding that defines what information, work and data is shared and how they will work together to develop a quality childcare service which is flexible and affordable to meet the needs of all parents wishing to work.

Last year, the LSC in Greater Manchester gave in the region of £250,000 to support various vocational, occupational, business, social inclusion and legislative training initiatives across the ten EYDCPs.

This was to enhance the work of the partnerships and to assist them to meet the Government's targets of providing 1.6 million new childcare places by the year 2004. This year, the LSC have increased the support to £350,000.

The LSC was established in April 2001 and is responsible for the planning and funding of all post-16 education and training, excluding higher education.

The vision is that by 2010, young people and adults will have knowledge and productive skills matching the best in the world.

Other key tasks are:

To raise participation and achievement by young people

To increase demand for learning by adults and equalise opportunities through better access to learning

To raise skills for national competitiveness

To improve the quality of education and training delivery

To improve effectiveness and efficiency.