11/9/2009 - National Sure Start Children's Centre Week 14-18 September - Cumbria joins the celebrations

Sure Start Children’s Centre Week (14-18 September 2009) is being celebrated across the country with Cumbria staging a host of events.

The week will promote the wide range of support available to families and highlight the growth of the children’s centre network.

There are now more than 3,000 centres across England, providing access to services for almost 2.4 million children under five and their families. 

By March 2010, there will be 3,500 Sure Start Children’s Centres, which will mean one for every community.

In Cumbria, there are currently twenty eight centres, with a further nine planned before the end of March. 

Cumbrian Sure Start Children's Centres provide support and information for parents and prospective parents on local services for themselves and their children.

They aim to help ensure that these services are made available in an integrated manner; that every child in Cumbria has the best start in life and that positive parenting is fully supported.

They also aim to help make communities safer and stronger.

Services are tailored to meet local needs and vary between different centres.

All centres are expected to provide direct access to, or information about, how to access the following services:

* good quality, integrated early learning and childcare

* child and family health services

* family support services, including support for parents and children with additional needs

* links with Jobcentre Plus to support parents and carers who are considering employment or training leading to employment.

* drop in sessions and other activities for children and carers

* support for childminder networks

* effective links with the Children and Families Information Service, local childcare providers, out of school clubs and extended services.

Over this summer many centres have played an important role in facilitating and providing new short breaks for disabled children and their families, co-ordinating or delivering an extra 700 hours of activities.

Margaret Watson, strategic manager for Children's Centres and Extended Services, Cumbria County Council said:

"Sure Start Children’s Centres do fantastic work for families and communities in Cumbria. 

We want to help as many parents as possible give their children the best start in life by accessing the services on offer."

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337.