Sure Start

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. 

 

Our aim is to tackle child poverty by providing opportunities for those children and families who are most disadvantaged, thus reducing inequalities. We develop and deliver services for parents and children from birth to age five.

The Government is committed to this work as part of its modernisation agenda and we aim to reshape local services to best meet local need, working in partnership with parents, children and the wider community.

We will we do it by:

• improving the availability, accessibility and affordability of quality childcare
• helping children learn through the Foundation Stage, part of the National Curriculum
• focussing family support services on the emotional, social and physical development of children, from ante-natal support for parents until the child enters full time school at five years old
• working with parents and communities to reduce the number of households where no-one is working
• providing support for children and families with special needs, including increased access to specialist services

Parent and children can access these services through Sure Start Children’s Centres. Between 2004-2006 78 Children’s Centres were developed throughout the South West, with another 181 due to be developed up to 2008. Communities which currently have Sure Start Local Programmes, Neighbourhood Nurseries or Early Excellence Centres will see these developed into Children’s Centres over time. The aim is to ensure that every community has access to a Sure Start Children’s Centre by 2010.

More information can be found through the links below.