in poorer areas

by Ruth Jolley

BOLTON is to receive £2.3 million to develop children's centres in disadvantaged areas of the town.

The centres will provide early education and childcare, family support, child and family health services, childminder drop ins and links to Job Centre Plus, the Childcare Information Service and Out of School Childcare.

Some will be developed from existing centres, such as local Sure Start Programmes, the Harvey Early Years Centre, schools and some neighbourhood nurseries.

However new developments may be created in areas which do not have an existing centre.

Cllr Madeline Murray, chairman of the Children and Young People Joint Working Party, said: "Integrated services of care and education, family support and health for children and families have been shown to have good outcomes for children, including improved health, increased educational attainment, improved self esteem and breaking the cycle of poverty.

"We welcome the Government's continued commitment to the needs of young children and families and look forward to the development of Bolton's children's centres."

It is hoped the network of centres will work towards providing better opportunities for parents and affordable, good quality childcare.

Bolton Council will be submitting full proposals for Bolton's children's centres to the Department of Education and Skills by October.

In total, disadvantaged communities in Greater Manchester will benefit from £33.04 million over the next three years to develop children's centres.

Government chiefs hope the centres will bridge the attainment gap between poor and better-off children.

Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education and Skills said: "The nation cannot accept the current situation in which differences between children's backgrounds are evident as early as 22 months. We need to ensure children and parents get the support they need right from the start."