A PROJECT aimed at supporting youngsters and their parents has reached a milestone.

The Whitecliffe Children's Centre at Carlin How, was officially opened at the weekend - the third of six children's centres planned for the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council area.

The opening provided a good excuse for a party with a family barbecue, face-painting, musical entertainment, craft activities, a story-teller and circus skills workshop.

Gill Steele, former head- teacher of Whitecliffe Primary School, which is on the same site, cut the ribbon with four-year-old Hannah Hurn from the nearby Leapfrogs day nursery.

The Sure Start children's centres form part of the Government's ten-year childcare strategy and deliver services to children and their families.

Chris Bell, SureStart east Cleveland children's centre manager, said: "I am delighted to see the official opening of Whitecliffe Children's Centre after months of hard work.

"It is a fantastic opportunity to be able to deliver truly integrated health, family support and help into employment services from one centre. At the same time, we are able to provide flexible, high quality childcare at our Leapfrogs day nursery, to meet the needs of the local community.

"The establishment of the daycare provision on site, has been a real partnership between the nursery staff, the primary school, parents and the local community."

Kathryn Porter, manager of Leapfrogs, said: "Our 57-place day nursery has been funded by the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative and we have worked really closely with staff at Whitecliffe Primary School to provide quality, integrated childcare and education on the one site.

"This relationship helps to provide children with a seamless transition into school. The nursery team work hard to ensure local children are receiving the highest quality childcare, and staff are working towards the National Day Nursery Association's Quality Counts award to outwardly show parents their commitment to quality care and early learning."