The programme, part of the Executive's Working for Families Fund, was initially piloted in the disadvantaged Easterhouse and Castlemilk areas of Glasgow in 2003. Since then, it has helped more than 450 families find childcare provisions tailored to meet their individual needs.
The Executive has now provided funding to extend the programme to all nine of Glasgow's social work areas until 2006.
The city-wide Working for Families Fund will also include a set of new projects. All the projects are targeted at lone or low-income parents and families affected by disability, mental health problems or substance abuse.
A sitter service will help parents who work shifts and irregular hours access affordable childcare, and a young parents project will provide specialist support to parents aged 15 to 24.
A Pre-Intermediate Labour Market Project has also been designed to offer unemployed parents job opportunities in the childcare sector. Parents can work part-time but remain on benefits while deciding whether they wish to take up a career in childcare.
Jim Coleman, deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, said, 'This is good news for parents who want to get back to work but have been caught in a no-win situation because they couldn't afford the childcare costs. The Working for Families Fund has plugged gaps in the existing childcare services in Glasgow and helped families overcome the barriers to childcare, education, training and employment.'