CHILDREN thought more likely to underperform at school are to be given priority for childcare, nursery and playgroup places.

Disabled children, tots with August birthdays, and from areas with high unemployment or who have very young mothers are among those Manchester City Council will be putting first.

Coun Sheila Newman said children from comfortable homes would not be turned away from nurseries and playgroups.

But, as part of a 10-year plan to give deprived youngsters a better start, it does mean that areas with a `very poor' record of primary school achievement, such as Gorton, are likely to be first in line for new facilities.

The policy is outlined in the Central Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework, which says that childcare is an `acute issue' across most of central Manchester, with a shortage of daycare in Gorton and Moss Side, a lack of childminder places in Ardwick and Rusholme and limited provision after 6pm across the area.

The council is trying to get more poor and vulnerable children into the existing 1,378 places at nurseries, childcare facilities and Sure Start children's centres, which offer early education, health services and advice to the families of under-fives.

Health visitors will be encouraging jobless mums to take advantage of early years provision, so they can find work.

Coun Newman said: "Sure Start has always targeted areas where there are high levels of deprivation, but it is open to all. In the future, we will be making sure it's more focused on the more vulnerable groups.

"There won't be a situation where people are turned away from centres because they are `too comfortable'.

"But sometimes we feel vulnerable people don't make use of what's on offer.

Everyone who wants a nursery place can have one. But childcare is not as universally available so it will be an area we are targeting."

"The council wants to begin youngsters' education as early possible and make sure a lack of childcare is not a barrier to parents finding jobs.