In brief...Pre-school and out-of-school

Pre-school and out-of-school services in Wales are to benefit from an extra £1.5m in Government funding. Welsh health and social services minister Jane Hutt revealed that £500,000 will go to playgroups and out-of-school clubs this year for the purchase of equipment. Of £1m earmarked for next year, half will go towards the childcare strategy and half will be added to the play grant element of the Children and Youth Partnership Fund to provide facilities for older children. Ms Hutt said, 'I know the crucial value to children of the high quality play experiences provided by playgroups. Benefits include development of...