A GOVERNMENT-backed scheme to make schools open longer has received full support from Hertfordshire County Council.

This week Education Secretary Ruth Kelly called for all schools to open from 8am to 6pm to help working parents. Her proposal said schools would beexpected to provide breakfast clubs in the morning and close later so that children can stay on for afternoon clubs.

Critics of the plan claim it will place an extra burden on teachers and local authorities. But members of the county council, which already runs 121 after school clubs, 72 breakfast clubs and 104 holiday play schemes, have welcomed the move.

Executive member for children's services Jane Pitman said: "For every working parent, trying to find good quality care for their child before and after school can be a real worry.

"I'm very proud that we are working with Hertfordshire schools to take some of the stress out of parenting by providing a happy, safe and fun environment for children to enjoy out of school hours.

"There will be further significant expansion in September when even more new services will be available in schools through our extended schools consortia, but Hertfordshire must get its fair share of funding to deliver on this worthwhile agenda."

A breakfast club and study support group has been running at Holy Family RC Primary School in Welwyn Garden City for five years. Breakfast club partner Sandra James said it has grown in popularity with parents over that time.

She added: "We open at 8am and have on average about 22 pupils every morning. We give them breakfast and organise a variety of games, reading groups and drawing lessons for each member.

"It seems to take the pressure off parents who find they don't have to rush off to work as soon as they have dropped their children off and the kids don't seem to mind at all.

"I would say the majority of people who use the service are working parents who need time to travel to their place of work."

Sandra, who is a teaching assistant at the school, said despite the success of the club extra funding would be needed to provide the service at other schools across the county.

She added: "If there are breakfast clubs and after school clubs it can be a very long day and there are issues over how it is staffed and financed. We just about cover our costs and if the service is to be kept open there has to be the financial support available from the county council."