EDUCATION and social services chiefs have announced a massive shake-up of nursery education in the Blackburn and Darwen which could see the creation of "Nursery Centres of Excellence".

The council is about to begin a wide-ranging review of the care and education of children up to four, bringing together education and social services departments so children do not "fall through the net".

The aim is to provide a service in which education officers and social services professionals work together to provide early-years care and education.

Currently Blackburn with Darwen has 14 nurseries attached to primary schools and nine separate nursery units, plus five social services-run nurseries. There are also 23 private providers in the borough, and in the 2000 autumn term 3,774 nursery education grants were being claimed by local parents.

Among the options is the creation of "Community Nursery Centres of Excellence" providing education and social care, along with continuing support to primary school children up to six.

Coun Bill Taylor, executive member for education, said the council planned to meet the government's aim to build a good foundation for children. He said: "We will try and educate and support the children in whatever circumstances they find themselves and chuck out the old compartmentalising of issues."

He said the aim was to avoid duplication of services for some children and also ensure others would not miss out altogether and fall through the net.

Coun Taylor said: "It's all part of the general thrust to making services fit the needs of the recipient."

Coun Sue Reid, executive member for social services, said the council did not have a fixed idea of what it wanted and there was nothing set in concrete. She said: "We want to try and make sure the kids go to the right place with the right support, so when they get to school they are not behind."

Borough chiefs plan team up social services staff and education and training, and they will also work with the NHS and voluntary sector.

Coun Taylor said the changes would not happen overnight and would begin with a three-month review. This will include focus groups of head teachers and parents to discuss proposals and will result in a final report detailing action over the next five years. That report is due in August.