A ground-breaking initiative to draw in and keep teachers in Clacton is in the pipeline.
A nursery unit for staff will be set up at the town's biggest high school starting off with at least 30 full-time places.
It is hoped cash will be found to increase the number in the longer term and to expand and develop the facility at Colbayns High School, in Pathfields Road.
By providing a place for the children of school staff, it is hoped the new unit will alleviate the difficulties faced by teachers over the lack of local childcare places and to help schools recruit new teachers while keeping those wanting to start a family.
The nursery, formed from the old caretaker's house, has been set up by a partnership comprising of Colbayns, the Education Action Zone, police and Nanna's Nursery.
It will offer places for the children of staff at all the 24 schools in the zone as well as the local community.
Keely Hogden, programme director at Nanna's, said it was a really worthwhile project.
"We are asking the schools how they would like to see children prepared and as each has its individual needs we are trying to match that need to each child," she said.
Nick Pavitt, head at Colbayns, said the unit was a much-needed resource for the town.
Published Monday October 28, 2002
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