EDUCATION chiefs in York have put together a framework to put schools at the "heart of the community".

City of York Council's executive member for education, Coun Carol Runciman, and her advisory panel will meet tomorrow to discuss the "extended schools" programme.

Coun Runciman said the aim of the programme is to ensure schools can work in partnership with other organisations to offer nurseries, early-years centres and health facilities for parents.

These will be provided in partnership with other public and private sector organisations such as the health service, the police and children's services.

It is part of the Government's five-year strategy for children and learners, which includes encouraging schools to stay open for longer hours, setting up breakfast clubs, after-school activities and holiday play schemes to help hardworking parents with childcare.

The council now wants to make it easier for schools to take part in the extended school programme.

Currently there are three primary schools involved in the development of the first Integrated Children's Centres for the city - Hob Moor, Westfield and Clifton Green.

Tang Hall Primary has also been asked to take part, in anticipation of its eventual development as a children's centre.

It is a requirement of the scheme that funding is used in those areas of the city experiencing the highest levels of socio-economic disadvantage.

The DfES has announced that in 2005/6 £53,000 will be available through the General Sure Start grant for the development of child care in full service extended schools in the city.

It is proposed that details of how this funding will be used will be reported back to the panel during the coming school year.

In addition, the Big Lottery Fund has identified £75,000 to be used by schools in York for activities that directly benefit young people and occur out of hours.

Coun Runciman said the services should be extended, but residents should realise that the local education authority would not provide everything.

"We should be working in partnership with people who can provide these services to the community," she said.

On Thursday, Coun Runciman will be at Westfield Primary School opening a new learning centre building.

The York panel meeting is at 6pm tomorrow in the Guildhall.

North Yorkshire County Council's extended school policy will go before a meeting of its executive at County Hall, in Northallerton, at 11am, on October 18.

Updated: 10:29 Monday, October 11, 2004