Children's Plan heralds new play areas
and youth clubs for Don Valley

12 December 2007

Don Valley could see new or improved play areas for children
and places for young people to go, as part of the Government's Children's Plan.

Local MP Caroline Flint says "The new plan is a huge investment
in the wellbeing of children and young people. I am particularly excited by the £225 million plan to build or upgrade 3,500 play areas across the country - that means about 23 in a borough
like Doncaster."

And £160 million will be available over the next two years for new youth facilities, which will be shaped by young people themselves. Across the country this could mean either 50 new state of the art youth centres, 500 refurbished centres, or 2,000 smaller scale centres or mobile units.

Other announcements in the Children's Plan include more support for families with new measures to help parents take a more active role in their children's education, a review of the primary curriculum, a move towards 'testing when ready' and more catch-up support for children falling behind.

Said Caroline Flint: "The plans for primary schools build on the excellent work I have seen at local schools in recent weeks."

Ms Flint recently met infants at Hatfield Travis doing maths games and learning to write stories.

The MP also recently viewed the excellent work at Tickhill Estfeld, where every pupil in the reception class is listened to reading every day and every child takes books home to read with their parents.