PLANS have been put in place to establish the way forward for the provision of early years education and childcare in the town.

The borough council's education and lifelong learning committee agreed the plans which will last for the next three years.

The proposals were drawn up by a partnership made up of childcare groups and early years education providers throughout the borough. The plan has now been passed to the Department of Education and Employment.

The plans aim to address a host of issues including:

Free nursery places for all children following their third birthday

1,187 new childcare places to be developed and secured through £680,000 of New Opportunities funding

Enhanced support to playgroups and nurseries through qualified teachers' expertise

Enhanced training for childcare and early education workers

Expanded role for the Children's Information Service

A new recruitment helpline for childcare staff

Assistant director of education, strategic planning and access, Tim Warren, said: "This plan is our blueprint for developing access to childcare early years services over the next three years.

"By developing this framework and setting these targets, we are actively showing our commitment to raising opportunities for the parents or carers of young children for the future benefit of their education."