Learning schemes for four and five year olds in Oxfordshire are coming under the spotlight.

Early Years Units in Abingdon and Thame were receiving a visit from Oxfordshire's chief education officer Graham Badman today.

The units at Carswell Primary School, Abingdon, and Barley Hill Primary School, Thame, are part of a successful new early years development programme launched by the ounty council in 1997.

Since then 20 new units catering specifically for four and five year olds have been set up in different parts of the county. The two units have been singled out as examples of good early years practice and their work was being looked at in detail by Mr Badman during his visit.

The unit at Carswell opened in 1997 and was the first in the county. The one at Barley Hill opened last year and is the largest in Oxfordshire.

The visit is part of an Early Years Open Week the county is running this week.

More than 50 Oxfordshire primary schools are opening their doors to visitors interested in early years education. Mr Badman was being accompanied by councillors from the main political groups on the county - Marjorie Evans (Con), Margaret Mackenzie (Lab) and Julie Mayhew-Archer (Lib Dem) - who have particular responsibility within their groups for early years education.

Mr Badman said: "The staff and school community can feel justly proud of the units.

"The children in them are getting a first rate start to their education.

"The units at Carswell and Barley Hill are just two examples of the excellent provision we have in Oxfordshire."

Story date: Wednesday 10 November

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