ALL Bolton's three year olds will be entitled to a nursery place from September . . . thanks to a Government cash windfall announced today.

Delighted education chiefs are celebrating a late Christmas present of £616,411.

It will mean that they can provide another 748 places which will allow all three year olds to have a half-day place.

Bolton already provides places for 78 per cent of youngsters and the new cash will enable all Bolton's children to have a first class start to their school life.

Cllr Don Eastwood, chairman of Bolton's education and arts committee, said: "It is very good news - to be honest we can't quite believe it.

"It will give all our children the chance for the best possible start in life."

Bolton Council will provide the places in partnership with the private sector.

It will mean that some of the places will be in schools while others will be in private nurseries or playgroups.

At present, children's chances of getting a nursery place depend on where they live.

In some areas such as Horwich and parts of Westhoughton, children have little opportunity of having a free place.

Margaret Hodge, Minister for Employment and Equal Opportunities, today announced £41.5 million nationwide to provide 50,000 new places for three year olds.

The money is the first stage towards meeting the Government's commitment to double nursery places for three year olds. In Bolton, the cash means that all youngsters will have a place because there is already a high proportion in places.

Mrs Hodge said: "This is a very exciting new development. We have delivered free education for all four-year-olds whose parents wish it and can now begin to expand free nursery education for three year olds."

Neighbouring Blackburn with Darwen has received £707,823 to create 887 places and Salford £274,151 to create 311 places.

Mrs Hodge added: "Nursery education brings the greatest benefits to disadvantaged children, so we are giving preference in the first year to helping 50 authorities in areas of greatest social need.

"We have made clear that the places should not be in reception classes and they must be appropriate for children of this age."

She added that all providers of the Government-funded places would be inspected by Ofsted.

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