IT WAS top marks for Blackpool as three education experts converged on the town to address a conference.

More than 100 delegates from the town gathered yesterday (March 24) at the Imperial Hotel for a full day of discussion, entitled Celebrating and Developing Young Children's Care and Education in Blackpool, to look at how education can be improved and what initiatives are underway.

Blackpool council chalked up a major success by attracting Dorothy Wedge, former Cambridgeshire county advisor for young children and families, Lesley Staggs, principal manager for under-5s at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, and research consultant Marjorie Ouvry to cover a whole host of topics ranging from play to early learning goals.

And the council's own early years consultant, Jo Goodall, covered what the future holds for Blackpool children.

Education chairman Eddie Collett said the town was determined to put early years education on the map. Speaking at the meeting, he said: "We are delighted to host this conference and to have attracted speakers of such high calibre.

"The aim is to celebrate early years practice, develop relationships across the sectors and identify quality indicators for early years education and care.

"Bringing together all the interested parties like this presents up with a real opportunity to unravel the inconsistencies of the past and move towards an integrates system of high quality early education and childcare."

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