YOUNG mums are being given a helping hand in their efforts to get back to work.
The seaside town of Redcar has become the first in the UK to open a Neighbourhood Nursery.
Thirty full day care nursery places are being offered from this month by the Redcar and Cleveland Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, at the day nursery in Majuba Road.
Up to 290 childcare places will be available for the resort's under-fives by March 2004, targeted at disadvantaged communities, allowing single parents the chance to work or take up training opportunities.
Schools Standards Minister Catherine Ashton said the new initiative will make a difference to both children and parents.
"I am delighted to learn that Redcar and Cleveland has opened its first new Neighbourhood Nursery and congratulate those involved in being the first in the North-East to begin meeting this tremendous challenge in improving childcare.''
The new places will be offered in both new nurseries and as additional places in existing nurseries.
The Government has set aside £203m to create 45,000 affordable nursery places across the UK.
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