Nursery boost for Bradford children

Full time place will cost £120 per week

Almost 700 new nursery places could be created for children in disadvantaged areas of West Yorkshire if a new project is approved.

Bradford City Council's executive will vote on the neighbourhood nurseries initiative on Wednesday 10 December.

Plans to fund an initial 435 places in 11 new nurseries will be followed by a further 250 once new premises are found.

The project has already secured £4m of government funding and a £1.6m lottery grant.

Families to benefit

The nurseries will provide affordable childcare for under-fives in Little Horton, Tong Bowling, Undercliffe, Toller, Eccleshill and Keighley if approved.

Training, family support, health and job search advice and community activities will also be provided.

Places will cost £120 per week for full time childcare and Bradford council believe the scheme will make a real difference to vulnerable families.

Executive member for education, David Ward, said: "This is very good news for the district, especially people who are stuck in the poverty trap because they cannot afford childcare which will allow them to go back to work."