A special unit dedicated to overseeing the care and education of children up to the age of eight is likely to be created.

Councillors were expected to give the go-ahead to the scheme today which will oversee things like the creation of pre and after-school clubs and support for childminders.

"It is a big step forward," said Coun Ralph Berry, chairman of the community development committee which was meeting to discuss the plan. "But it is common sense to put these thing together under one umbrella."

Currently things like nursery education, childminding and health matters are dealt with by departments spread across the council.

By creating the unit, however, the Council hopes to work hand-in-hand with agencies like the TEC and charities to provide the best possible start in life.

The only new funding is the head of department post which has a salary of up to about £30,000. Apart from that, existing funding will be reorganised to set up the unit.

Coun Berry said drawing all early years provision under one roof will make it easier for parents who previously may have had to approach a number of different departments over provision for their child.

It will also provide an excellent forum to co-ordinate policy and a platform from which to launch funding bids from the government, said Coun Berry.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that if we are to give our children the start in life they deserve and respond to new government initiatives, such as providing every child with a good quality education from the age of four, then we need a dedicated early years unit."

The new unit is expected to be up and running by March, but although separate, it will still maintain close links with departments such as education and social services.

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