A new £1 million Early Years Centre is scheduled to be opened at Cornwall College, Camborne, in the New Year.

Work is already underway by Midas Construction, converting the college's old refectory into a new, 80-place creche. The centre will also house brand new teaching facilities for students on childcare courses with the college's department for community and health studies.

The student services department is hailing the new development as a great opportunity for an increasing number of students with young children to gain access to education.

Jackie Rush, supervisor of student services at the Camborne campus, said "With the new centre opening, we are almost doubling the capacity of the college's creche which is run by Flying Start."

The centre will also offer new opportunities for students on the Karenza programme. This is a unique course that allows young parents to attend college and learn alongside their children in a safe and relaxed environment. Karenza will be a flexible course of as little as two hours a week depending upon the individual student's needs and will provide a gateway to study for nationally recognised qualifications.

Childcare will be provided with the new state-of-the-art facility, with a secure garden and separate teaching area for parents who will be able to view their children being cared for by qualified staff. The next intake for the Karenza programme is scheduled for January.

Head of Department Anthea Rowley said: "We are hoping that this new facility will go a long way to strengthen our partnership with the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership in Cornwall. We want to work together to develop the childcare and early education provision in Cornwall in relation to the government's targets.

"This will truly be an outstanding training facility for our full-time students. To coincide with the opening of the centre we are also launching a wide range of short courses for professionals who already work within the childcare sector."