YOUNGSTERS in Darlington are receiving a top class start in education, according to figures which show that nurseries are performing above Government targets.
More than 1,100 children in the town receive nursery education, which aims to prepare them for full-time learning.
Darlington Borough Council has reported that its nurseries and playgroups, as well as privately-run groups, are already performing ahead of Government standards set for 2003 to 2004.
The Department for Education and Skills has called on 94 per cent of the country's nurseries and play groups to make satisfactory progress by September 2004.
But in Darlington, all of the nurseries or playgroups have already achieved satisfactory or better Ofsted inspections.
Eleanor Lister, the council's cabinet member for education, said: "Darlington offers very high quality early years education.
"We have achieved 100 per cent against the strategic goals and we intend to maintain this excellent position, which is providing an excellent foundation on which to build educational progression."
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