A NURSERY in Chester-le-Street nursery has been awarded Government funding for all its eligible three-year-olds.

Selby Cottage Daycare Centre, which last year received an excellent Ofsted report, can now offer free sessions to all eligible children under the early years initiatives.

This means four-year-old children can get five nursery sessions free each week during term-time. This has now been extended to eligible three-year-olds.

Although a private nursery, Selby Cottage is able to participate in the scheme because it is in partnership with Early Years development in County Durham and can offer an alternative to LEA nurseries.

Leader of Chester-le-Street District Council Malcolm Pratt said: "We see offering early years education to be an important part of our role as a caring council. Not only does it benefit staff and people in the community who need high quality healthcare, but it also equips children for school and gives them the opportunity to play in a safe and happy environment.