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Government exceeds target for children's centres

The number of children's centres opened across England by the end of March reached 2,906, comfortably beating the target of 2,500 set by the Government, according to ministers.

During a visit to a Sure Start children's centre in Stockwell, southLondon, last week. Secretary of State for Children, Schools and FamiliesEd Balls said, 'We have beaten our target and are well on track to meetour manifesto commitment for 3,500 children's centres - one for everycommunity in England - by the year 2010.

'We want to see the services Sure Start offers develop and expand ratherthan be cut back. Many children's centres are now offering advice abouttraining or employment opportunities.'

He said that under a new pilot programme, tax credit advisers would belocated in children's centres to ensure that parents received theirentitlement to help with childcare.

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