A council has set up a new library specifically to help those who look after children study for childcare qualifications.

The student book library - the first of its kind in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maindehead - is based at the early years resource centre in Maidenhead's Ellington School.

The library, featuring books on an entire spectrum of early years and childcare topics - including home safety, environmental health, diet, equal opportunities in play, child protection and behaviour and families and relationships - has been provided by the Early Years and Childcare Development Partnership, using childcare grant funds from the Department for Education and Employment.

Kim Eales, the borough's childminding development worker, has compiled the library with the aim of supporting the growing number of childcare professionals - including childminders and foster carers - who want to achieve recognised qualifications.