What are Sure Start Children’s Centres?

Sure Start Children’s Centres provide integrated services for young children (0-5yrs) and their families.  They have been rolled out in three phases, starting in 2004.  

 
The Early Intervention Grant, announced in December 2010 following the Spending Review, contains enough money to maintain a network of children’s centres so they are accessible to all, and supporting families in greatest need. The Department for Education and the Department of Health will be publishing a policy statement on the Early Years later in the year, setting out our vision for reform – more information is available on this website in the 'Developing a vision for Early Years' section, which can be accessed on the left hand menu. 
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 Who runs Sure Start Children’s Centres?

Sure Start Children’s Centres are provided by a range of organisations, including voluntary and community organisations.  Local authorities are under a legal duty to secure sufficient provision of children's centres to meet local need, so far as is reasonably practicable.  They must consult local communities before making arrangements to establish a new children's centre, make a significant change to an existing children's centre, or do anything which would result in a children's centre ceasing to exist.  Statutory guidance which explains these duties is set out in the  Sure Start Children's Centre Statutory Guidance available via the link in the associated resources section on the right-hand side of this page.
 
The Department is working with local authorities and sector experts to increase voluntary and community sector involvement in children’s centres, as part of the Government’s wider reform programme.

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 How can I become a volunteer in a Sure Start Children's Centre?

Many Sure Start Children’s Centres engage volunteers in their work.  If you are interested in finding out more, you should contact your local children’s centre directly. To find a Sure Start Children’s Centre in your area, visit the Directgov website using the link on the right-hand side of this page. 

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 Is there a Sure Start Children’s Centre in my area? How can I contact them?

There is a network of Sure Start Children’s Centres across England, accessible to all families with young children. To find a Sure Start Children’s Centre in your area, visit the Directgov website using the link in the associated resources section on the right-hand side of this page. 

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