Child care services get £7m boost

New accommodation is to be built offering extra places for children

Almost £7m is to be spent on early years childcare, Gloucestershire County Council has announced.

The move is aimed at helping parents either return to work, join training schemes or remain in their jobs.

The cash would be used to build new accommodation and create extra places, as well as improving facilities, Councillor Stephen McMillan said.

"Most schemes have been identified but money has been set aside for others," he said.

All projects are to be completed by December 2011.

Mr McMillan added: "It can be very hard for parents who want to get back into work to find suitable childcare and we hope this investment will make that challenge much easier."