Sure Start is a Government programme that brings together early education, childcare, health and family support so that every child gets the best possible start in life. It covers targeted services in disadvantaged areas, and Government Offices work to deliver the programme in the regions.
More information on the national picture
This will be achieved by:
- Helping services develop in disadvantaged areas alongside financial help for parents to afford childcare.
- Rolling out the principles driving the Sure Start approach to all services for all children and parents.
The Sure Start programme
Early Education for all
Free part-time early education for three and four year olds.
- Helping children learn through the Foundation stage – the part of the National Curriculum which supports the development of children aged three to six.
More and better childcare
- Making childcare happen – new full or part-time childcare place within start –up grants for childminders, nurseries and after school activities.
- Making childcare better quality – working with OFSTED to inspect and approve early education and childcare, recruiting and training people to work with children.
- Making childcare more affordable – to help working parents with their childcare costs through the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.
- Helping parents find out what's there – through local Children's Information Services and a national information service for parents.
- Linking employment advice to information on childcare.
Local programmes making a difference
- Establishing children's centres where they are needed most – in the most disadvantaged areas – to offer families early education, childcare and health and family support with advice on employment opportunities. Children's centres will link up with Sure Start local programmes (SSLPs), Neighbourhood Nurseries and Early Excellence Centres and extend their success.
Ongoing Sure Start local programmes
- Sure Start local programmes will continue to deliver community based services in disadvantaged areas. 400,000 children will get access to 534 Sure Start local programmes by March 2006.
