A SCHEME to promote quality childcare in North Yorkshire has itself been given top marks for its efforts in raising standards.

The quality Kitemark programme was launched by the county council two years ago to establish standards of good practice for day nurseries, childminders, pre-schools and out-of-school clubs.

Now it has been awarded the Investor in Children endorsement by SureStart, part of the Department for Education and Skills.

The SureStart panel praised the North Yorkshire scheme, saying they were impressed by the hard work that had gone into developing it.

Councillor Betsy Hill, chairwoman of the North Yorkshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, said the endorsement provided reassurance for parents that early education and childcare in the county were of the highest standard.