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For more information visit www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/settings/surestartchildrenscentres/
In March 2003, the Government announced
plans to rebrand Early Excellence Centres, as well as Sure
Start projects that offer childcare and Neighbourhood Nurseries,
as children's centres. The programme is an important part
of the Government's strategy for raising standards and integrating
services for young children and families in England. It aims
to develop, demonstrate and disseminate models of excellence
in the delivery of centre-based integrated multi-agency services,
which meet the needs of children and families, raise standards
and achieve national impact. Specifically, by integrating
care, education, family support and health services, children's
centres are intended to better meet the needs of families
in the 20% most disadvantaged wards in England and improve
both children's life chances and their parents' access to
work and training.
The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, announced in July 2004 that
an extra £100 million would increase the number of children's
centres from a planned 1,700 to 2,500 in the 30% most deprived
communities. The 2004 Ofsted evaluation of Early Excellence
Centres found that, while children's speaking and listening
skills are developing well, teaching was weakest in early literacy,
mathematics and aspects of creative development, with little
direct teaching based on clear, specific learning objectives
for early literacy.
By March 2006, the Government expected children's
centres to reach 650,000 pre-school children - 350,000
through pre-existing Sure Start programmes and 300,000 new
children through children's centres that have either been
developed from other existing provision, such as nursery schools,
or, in a small number of cases, are entirely new. By 2008
there should be 1000 children's centres, and by 2010 there
should be one in every community. In many respects, children's centres are similar to Sure
Start local programmes, but they differ in that children's
centres must provide full day care integrated with early education,
in addition to child and family health services, family support
and outreach to parents, a base for childminder networks and
links with Jobcentre Plus and Children's Information Services.
In 2007, the Government published plans to make children’s centres and other public services more father-inclusive. Aiming high for children: supporting families, a joint HM Treasury and Department for Education and Skills document promised extra support for resident and non-resident dads to help them play their critical role in children’s development. Children’s centres will get extra cash for outreach services and parenting classes; and a Parents’ Charter will make clear the minimum level of support fathers and mothers should expect from local services.
The programme is managed centrally by the Early Years Extended Schools and Special Needs Group at the Department
for Children Schools and Families. Tel: 0870 000 2288. | |
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