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4 Aug 98

BETTER CHILD CARE SERVICES IN POOLE

POOLE will have its own child care information service thanks to a £53,000 grant from the Department for Education and Employment.

The money will enable Borough of Poole officers to carry out an audit of local child care services and look into the demand for care from parents and employers.

The Council will work with statutory agencies, employers and private and voluntary sector providers to draft a child care plan and put it into action, giving the opportunity to further develop high quality provision and services for children aged 0-14 years and their parents in Poole.

The new Children's Information Service will provide comprehensive information for parents and employers.

Cllr Jane James, chair of the Social Services Committee, said: "This sort of research is very expensive and the grant will enable us to find out where there are gaps in provision.

"At present, child care is very unevenly scattered around the Borough and this will help provide extra services where they are really badly needed."

Cllr Annette Brooke, chair of the Education Committee, added: "We are very conscious that we need early intervention and good support to children and their parents before formal schooling begins."

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Jacqui Vye, Pupil and Parent Support: 01202 261913