ST HELENS Council has been recognised by the Government as an area of excellence in nursery education.

The St Helens Early Years Development Plan was approved by the Secretary of State for Education, David Blunkett, who praised the council for "all the hard work that has gone into drawing up the partnership, particularly in view of the challenging timetable."

The council currently provides nursery provision for 85 per cent of children in the borough with an ultimate aim of achieving 100 per cent cover. St Helens offers free education places to all four-year-olds and to the vast majority of three-year-olds.

Through its Early Years Development Plan the council is currently consulting on how existing nursery provision can be reviewed so that it will cover all areas of the borough. In line with Government policy the authority is also committed to working with partners in the private and voluntary sectors to provide additional day care, as resources become available, to meet the needs of working parents.

It also intends to expand its existing wide range of out-of-school care facilities. Pilot projects are planned at Rectory CE, Legh Vale and the STAR Childrens Centre to provide additional extended day and holiday care for children under five following the award of a £65,000 special Government grant.

Copies of the plan are available in local libraries.

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