A spokeswoman for the children's charity said the Parents, Early Years and Learning (Peal) programme would continue on a paid-for basis after March. The Department for Children, Schools and Families provided short-term funding for work with children's centres across England in 2006/07 and later extended funding until March this year.

Peal training supports childcare settings to meet EYFS requirements. Bookings for training are now being taken from April 2008.

www.peal.org.uk.