Happy 7th birthday to Sure Start
15 September 2006
Alan Whitehead will today meet with parents and childcare professionals to celebrate the 7th birthday of the groundbreaking Sure Start programme.
Founded in 1999, Sure Start centres provide free childcare and education services that are transforming the lives of parents and children in Southampton. In addition to core childcare services, Sure Start centres across the city offer a range of other health and education services based on demand from the local community.
The Sure Start centre in Millbrook, for example, provides support to women suffering from domestic violence, advice on how new parents can make their home safer for young children, and free advice on oral health and a nutritious diet.
Sure Start centres were one of the first major social policies of the 1997 New Labour Government. In 1999 the government spent £7 million to set up the first 524 Sure Start schemes, including the centres in Southampton. The government has promised to deliver a Sure Start Centre in every community by 2010.
Dr Whitehead said:
“Children who enjoy two years of pre-school education can be up to 6 months ‘ahead’ of other children when they start school. And studies have shown that how well children do at age 5 can affect how well they do at primary and secondary school.
“Whilst Sure Start began its life targeting children in the most deprived communities in the UK, its success means it can now broaden its remit to ensure Sure Start gives every child in every community the best start possible. Happy birthday to Sure Start!”
More information
- There are currently 5 Sure Start programmes in Southampton:
- 524 Sure Start programmes, targeting disadvantaged areas, were approved in 1999 and were all operational by December 2003. The completed centres offered services to over 400,000 children, including about 30% of all those living in poverty.
