THE first of six neighbourhood nurseries planned for Suffolk opens in the north of the county tomorrow.Seashore Day Nursery and Suffolk Children First have developed the £480,000 nursery in Lowestoft that will offer childcare and early education for up to 50 children and also create 16 new jobs.

THE first of six neighbourhood nurseries planned for Suffolk opens in the north of the county tomorrow.

Seashore Day Nursery and Suffolk Children First have developed the £480,000 nursery in Lowestoft that will offer childcare and early education for up to 50 children and also create 16 new jobs.

The nursery, in the town's Crown Score, will be officially opened at 10am by Waveney MP Bob Blizzard.

It is situated in a purpose-built facility designed to offer affordable quality childcare to parents in the area.

Offering early education for children under five at anytime the nursery will also be providing after-school and school holiday childcare for older children.

Nursery manager Rachel Ayers said: "I am thrilled that the nursery is about to open. We have already filled two-thirds of the places, which proves childcare is urgently needed by families in Lowestoft."

Seashore is the first of many new projects to help improve services for children and families in the Lowestoft and Waveney area.

Sue Thomas, chair of Suffolk Children First, said: "We are also developing four more neighbourhood nurseries, a conventional day nursery, and ten out-of-school clubs for older children.

"Ultimately there will be enough good quality childcare in the area for any working parent who wants it."

Neighbourhood Nurseries are part of the Government's Neighbourhood Childcare Initiative that aims to:

· Reduce unemployment in the most disadvantaged areas by providing childcare facilities.

· Offer childcare and early education in quality buildings and environments.

· Be located in the 20% most deprived wards.

Seashore is the biggest project so far in a £2 million investment in childcare in the Waveney area.

The money is coming into Suffolk from central government via Suffolk County Council, New Opportunities Fund, East of England Development Agency and around half from private investment.

The two-storey building provides three ground floor classrooms, a kitchen and servery, a large conference room for a parent and toddler group and other community groups, a secure outside play area and car parking/dropping off facilities.

The building was designed by I Garrett of Lowestoft and constructed by M G Riddell.

Jane Hore, county councillor for central Lowestoft, said: "The fact that the county council and Suffolk Children First have responded to the local need for affordable, quality childcare, as well as creating 16 new jobs, is something which gives a real sense of satisfaction and can only be welcomed."