These are all part of our drive to give thousands of young people the best start in life and represent an investment of £22m.

The following new facilities were officially opened by Councillor Frank McNally, Convener of Education and Families, at informal ceremonies this August:

• In Wishaw: Innerleithen FLC and Netherton FLC
• In Newmains: Abernethyn Family Learning Centre (FLC)
• In Airdrie: Calderview FLC and Petersburn FLC
• In Coatbridge: St Augustines Nursery Class – with Shawhead Nursery Class and Townhead Nursery Class set to officially open in a few weeks.
• In Cumbernauld: Broomlands FLC and Whitelees Nursery Class

Three further Family Learning Centres – Cumbernauld Village, Forgewood and Heathery Park will open in the new year.

Councillor McNally said: “Last year North Lanarkshire Council became the largest local authority in Scotland to successfully deliver the 1140 funded hours programme to all eligible families, with thousands of parents and carers benefiting from an increased provision in childcare.

“The new nursery settings are a welcome boost for communities and provide bright, welcoming spaces – both indoors and outdoors – where children can play and learn to be independent.

“We are determined to provide all our young people with the very best start in life and these fantastic new facilities along with the children who attend them and our wonderful staff who work in them will go a long way to achieving this goal.”

Across North Lanarkshire there are 80 nursery classes and 23 family learning centres delivering the expanded 1140hrs childcare programme in communities throughout the area.

There are also 42 private, voluntary and independent nurseries and 146 childminders all delivering the full additional hours to nursery children.