Sure Start
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Sure Start local programmes
Sure Start is part of the Government's drive to eradicate child poverty in 20 years and to halve it in 10. By involving parents and a range of agencies in initiatives to boost young children's development, it aims to give children in disadvantaged areas a much better start in life. Sure Start local programmes work with parents-to-be, parents and children to promote the physical, intellectual and social development of babies and young children, particularly those who are disadvantaged, so that they can flourish at home and when they begin school.
Programmes are led by local partnerships of parents, community groups, local authorities, health agencies, voluntary groups and others, working closely with early years development and childcare partnerships and the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative.
Partnerships work in new and more constructive ways to make sure that services in Sure Start areas are focussed more closely on the needs of local families and children. Clear improvement targets are set, and programmes operate by consulting and involving local people in the development, delivery and management of the programme.
Each Sure Start programme is different, as they are designed to meet local needs, but all programmes are likely to include:
- better ante-natal support and advice to parents to be, including help to stop smoking
- all new parents are visited within two months of the birth to introduce them to Sure Start services
- improved quality of early learning experiences for young children
- improved quality of childcare
- more childcare places and a greater variety of provision
- more accessible baby clinics and advice on health and child development
- support for parents including parenting groups, advice on healthy eating and training for work.
By the end of summer 2003, 524 Sure Start local programmes will be operational, helping up to 400,000 children living in disadvantaged areas — including a third of children under 4 living in poverty. 513 local programmes were up and running in August 2003.
Children’s Centres
A network of children’s centres is being established in disadvantaged areas providing good quality childcare with early education, family and health services and training and employment advice, and reaching at least 650,000 local children and their families by 2006. The centres will build on existing initiatives like Sure Start local programmes, Neighbourhood Nurseries and Early Excellence Centres, and bring high quality integrated services to the heart of communities.
The children’s centre programme is based on the concept that providing integrated education, care, family support and health services is a key factor in determining good outcomes for children and their parents.
The first wave of 32 children’s centres was announced in June 2003
Local authorities have been given strategic responsibility for the delivery of children’s centres. They are planning the location and development of centres to meet targets set by the Sure Start Unit, in consultation with parents and other key partners.
