NEW SURE START CENTRES FOR COUNTY DURHAM
Helen has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Children that a new range of children’s centres will be opening across the North East.
Helen said, “By September 2006, there will be another 30 designated children’s centres in County Durham, including a total of five in my constituency of Bishop Auckland. I am delighted that more children and families will benefit from the integrated support of Sure Start.”
Sure Start is the Labour government’s programme to deliver the best start in life for every child. It brings together early education, childcare, health and family support.
The aim of the programme is to increase the availability of childcare for all children, improve the health and emotional development of young children and support parents both as parents and in their aspirations towards employment.
Responding to questions from Helen in the House of Commons, the Minister for Children, Bev Hughes, said, “There are 62 Sure Start local programmes in the north-east, most of which will become Sure Start children’s centres by March this year.
“Children’s centres will provide integrated support services for parents of young children under five. There are 53 designated children’s centres operational in the north-east, and we propose to increase that to more than 250 by September this year, and to more than 340 by March 2008.” [1]
[1] Read the Commons exchange in Hansard:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060209/debtext/60209-04.htm#60209-04_wqn1
[2] Details of the current locations of Sure Start in the North East:
http://www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/settings/fundedsettings/index.cfm?region=NE
Filed under: Uncategorized on February 10th, 2006
