THE first of three new neighbourhood nurseries, aimed at helping parents in disadvantaged areas get back to work, has opened in Darlington.

Kids & Co, a £59,000 purpose-built nursery at a heritage site in North Road, near the town's railway museum, will provide 41 full-day care nursery places.

Its facilities include a separate baby area for under-two's, a self-contained kitchen and a large open-plan learning and activities area for ages two to five. An outdoor landscaped play area is also nearing completion.

By April next year, two more neighbourhood nurseries will open in the town, each costing about £100,000 to build and offering 52 child care places.

One will be based near to Firthmoor Primary School and will be run by Darlington Borough Council in partnership with the school and St Teresa's RC Primary School.

The other will be at Skerne Park, situated alongside the new school building and run in partnership with SureStart.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: "These are the first dedicated neighbourhood nurseries in Darlington and they are very much for the local community and aimed at reaching parents who want to get back into employment or education.

"We are offering childcare specifically to support parents in certain areas."

The nurseries are funded by the New Opportunities Building Neighbourhood Nurseries Lottery Fund and the whole project is being run by Darlington Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

The North Road nursery forms part of a new £1m Surestart building, which will provide services including health visiting, midwifery, adult learning, family support services and childcare, as well as a wide range of other health and family related services.

Coun Stephen Harker, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for education, said: "Local children are now reaping the benefits of what is a fantastic facility for the community.

"We now have first class affordable childcare and a level of support for parents that will enable them to continue with their own education or employment."

For information on place availability at the nursery call (01325) 363413.