Plans for a network of children's centres in Somerset have been boosted by a �33,000 European Union grant. The project, part of government plans to integrate early years education with childcare facilities, received the money from the European Social Fund.
It will be used to provide training for centre staff and volunteers.
A spokesman for Somerset Learning and Skills council (LSC), which secured the funding, said: "These centres will provide a vital service."
The money, part of a �1.8m package awarded to the LSC for a variety of projects, will be used for business management and computer training.
The first children's centre in Somerset opened in Taunton in 2002.
There are also sites in Bridgwater, Chard, Glastonbury, Highbridge and Watchet.
It is hoped that 15 centres will be open across the county by 2006.
As well as education and childcare services for the under fives, the centres also provide support for parents with special needs and links to training providers.
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