A SCHEME to increase the number of child care places and staff in Darlington has been hailed a success.

In the past year, the number of people working in day care and out-of-school clubs in the town has increased, as has the number of places for youngsters to receive out-of-hours care.

The Darlington Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) is to continue its work next year, after its first 12 months of success.

The partnership was set up to ensure a wide range of affordable childcare was available in Darlington for youngsters from birth up to the age of 14.

It includes after-school schemes, holiday clubs and full-time care for children whose parents work.

The EYDCP is one of 150 partnerships across the country set up to implement the National Childcare Strategy, which aims to improve child services in the UK.

By 2004, the partnership hopes to have created 1,460 child care places to help reduce the waiting list of 188 children waiting in Darlington to get a place on a childcare scheme in the town.

Chris Archer, manager of EYDCP, said: "It has been an encouraging year and our achievements are now making a real difference in the quality of early years development in child care."

Since the project began, 150 people have been recruited to help run full-time day care schemes, out-of-school-clubs and holiday schemes.

The EYDCP has also helped secure £100,000 for out-of-school clubs in the town through the New Opportunities Fund which in turn has created 401 childcare places.

Another 294 places have been made available by the recruitment of an extra 49 childminders in the town.

The partnership has funded many individuals to allow them to take academic courses in child care subjects, and has paid for play equipment for care schemes throughout the borough.

Money has also been given to the Corporation Road Toy Library to help it expand its service to allow more children to borrow toys for longer periods.