National Sure Start Month 2006: Celebrating Early Years and Childcare
NEWS RELEASE
14 June 2006
National Sure Start Month 2006: Celebrating Early Years and Childcare
Once again, June is National Sure Start Month and preparations are well underway across the country as early years and childcare practitioners get ready to celebrate the achievement of Sure Start and the services it offers to families throughout England. Registered childminders, playgroups, pre-schools, day nurseries, Sure Start Children’s Centres, parent advisers, health workers, libraries, Children's Information Services and staff from Jobcentre Plus will work together to let parents know more about the support and services available to local families.
National Sure Start Month runs from Thursday 1 June until Friday 30 June. Events and open days are being held across the country on the theme of Celebrating early years and childcare. The month is co-ordinated by a consortium of major childcare and early years organisations: 4Children, NDNA, NCMA, and the Daycare Trust, lead by the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Other partners include the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and Bookstart.
The month will be officially launched to the press on Tuesday 6 June, when the world’s largest handpainting is unveiled in the imposing Turbine Hall of Tate Modern on London’s South Bank. The painting, Little Hands, Big Flowers, measures 400m2 and has been created by children in 16 Children’s Centres and early years settings across the country.
There is cross-departmental support for the month, with Ministers from the Department for Education and Skills, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport attending the launch.
These celebrations have been reflected in big regional events taking place in Reading, Ipswich, Northampton, Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bournemouth and Hounslow, in the run-up to the month. Sure Start settings will welcome families and carers to celebrate the achievements of the past year – with MPs, mayors and local councillors getting involved. These events will feature a spectacular balloon launch and for anyone lucky enough to find a balloon there will be prizes up for grabs. The partner organisations will all be running special activities throughout June and over 5000 local events are scheduled to take place (see schedule below).
Neil Leitch, Director of Communications, Pre-school Learning Alliance said:
‘We are delighted to be lead partner in organising National Sure Start Month again this year. The Alliance is involved in Sure Start programmes across the country and we have seen first hand the impact that they and Children’s Centres can have on families and communities. The commitment of early years and childcare practitioners, health workers and all other professionals involved in Sure Start deserves to be celebrated. The full programme of events and the exciting and unique launch promises to make this year’s month a great success and raise the profile of the services and support that Sure Start provides.’
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Anna Roberts
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2504
Out of hours press calls: 07802 827 678
E: Anna Roberts
Notes for Editors:
- National Sure Start Month runs from 1-30 June 2006. The month is organised by a consortium of voluntary sector early years and childcare organisations: 4Children, Daycare Trust, National Childminding Association, National Day Nurseries and lead partner Pre-school Learning Alliance.
- For further information on National Sure Start Month and the work of Sure Start, please visit www.nationalsurestartmonth.com
- The Pre-school Learning Alliance links 15,000 pre-schools and 800,000 young children and their families in England. Established in 1961 and registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is involved in more Sure Start projects than any other organisation and operates a number of Neighbourhood Nurseries. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
Schedule of Events
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Throughout June |
Ministers and MPs will be visiting Sure Start programmes, Children’s Centres, pre-schools and early years settings Nursery Open Days – encouraging nurseries to hold open day events for parents and the community
Nurseries preparing for National Day Nurseries Association Big Breakfast Month healthy eating campaign |
| NSSM Press Launch 6 June |
Little hands, Big flowers |
| National Childcare Week 5-9 June |
Organised by the Daycare Trust, National Childcare week focuses on putting Children at the Centre. Events include:
|
| National Day Nurseries Association Annual conference 5-6 June |
NDNA’s annual conference in Warwickshire, including awards celebrating the work of practitioners |
| Parliamentary Reception 14 June |
Organised by the Pre-school Learning Alliance, focusing on working with parents and choice in childcare |
| Pre-school Play Awards 15 June |
Awards highlighting the fundamental role of learning through play for the early years. The awards also recognise the hard work undertaken by professionals and parents to promote and support children’s learning and development |
| National Childminding Week 17-24 June |
Organised by National Childminding Association to celebrate the work of registered childminders with hundreds of local events across the country. This year’s theme is Food, Fitness and Fun |
| Pre-school Playweek 17-24 June |
Organised by the Pre-school Learning Alliance, pre-schools and early years settings will be holding open days, fun events and teddy bear picnics. Events include:
|
| Shout out for Children Week 27 June – 3 July |
Shout out for Children Week is organised by 4Children. Events include:
|