LOCAL councils have the chance to bid for £95,740 to improve childcare for babies and toddlers.
The Government has earmarked £13,540 for Blackburn with Darwen and £82,200 for Lancashire County Council to help them extend playgroup opening hours and help more families benefit.
The cash is part of a £4million package which playgroups can bid for to buy toys and cots or pay for staff and running costs so they can offer places to more children. Councils can now bid for their share of the cash.
Childcare minister Margaret Hodge said parents had told the Government they needed longer periods of good quality care for their children, and this cash was meant to help playgroups stay open all day and to care for more children.
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