Charles Clarke has committed the government to providing care from 8.00am to 6.00pm for children at every school.

Under the plans, headteachers who could not provide "extended schooling" on their own premises would have to offer it in partnership with nearby schools.

The education secretary said that parents would be expected to pay for the "wraparound" childcare services, though many would receive help towards the cost through tax credits.

At least 1,000 primary schools would offer services for 50,000 children by 2008 under the government’s five-year plan for education.