HELPING your child to read, preparing children for school and story time sessions are among a range of free courses for parents, grandparents and carers which start in the borough this month.

Provided by St Helens Council's Family Learning Team, the courses last for seven or eight weeks and are designed to help parents to boost their children's and their own learning. Many of the courses lead to an Open College certificate for parents. Free crche facilities, which must be booked in advance, are available at most venues.

Among the new courses are the following:

l Help your child to read: Newton Library, Friday 9.30 to 11.30am, begins April 26.

l Creativity in the early years: Legh Vale Early Excellence Centre, Monday 1 to 3pm and Wednesday 1 to 3pm, begins April 29. Peter Street Centre, Tuesday 9.30 to 11am, begins April 30. Newton Family and Community Centre, Tuesday 1 to 3pm, begins April 23.

l Story time: Thatto Heath Library, Friday 1.30pm begins April 12.

l Preparing your child for school: Newton Library, Monday 9.30 to 11.30am, begins April 22.

For information about these and other courses across the borough contact the Family Learning Team on 01744 455464 or the parents' Information Centre, Newton-le-Willows Library on 01744 677888 or e-mail shelaghspeakman@sthelens.gov.uk