National Sure Start Month 2005
NEWS RELEASE
1 June 2005
National Sure Start Month 2005
This June, thousands of childcare, early education and family support services will be celebrating National Sure Start Month across England. There are loads of events to look out for — from trips to the park, playschool parties and family fun days. Last year more than 5,000 events took place across the country with over 500,000 people getting involved.
This year's theme is Your Children, Your Choices and, offering a great chance for early years settings to demonstrate exactly what choices are available to families in their area, more events are appearing every day on the website: www.nationalsurestartmonth.com.
New Minister for Children, Rt. Hon. Beverley Hughes MP said:
"I'm very excited about taking part my first National Sure Start Month! It's great to be able to join the celebrations, which give such well-deserved recognition to childcare professionals, and the parents and children they work with."
The Minister adds:
"Sure Start has already changed the lives of thousands of children and families for the better by giving them access to a broad range of government support and services. Access to affordable childcare and early education as well as healthcare facilities, training and support undoubtedly helps parents make informed choices and in turn helps build stronger, more active communities."
Sure Start is the Government's programme to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support. The Sure Start sponsored national month is run by a partnership of six leading charities, representing a wide cross-section of early-years service users and expertise in the sector.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Sarah Pearson
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7014 9321
Out of hours press calls: 07979 531 130
E: Sarah Pearson
Notes for Editors:
National Sure Start Month 2005 is the fourth in a series of annual events providing an opportunity for Sure Start Users and Early Years' practitioners around the country to celebrate the achievements of the past year. The event is sponsored by the Sure Start Unit, and run by a partnership of six charities — representing a wide cross-section of early-years service users and expertise in the sector.
Sure Start is the Government's programme to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support. Sure Start aims to increase the availability of childcare for all children, improve the health and emotional development of young children and support parents as parents as well as in their aspirations towards employment. To achieve these goals Sure Start encourages the development of services specifically in disadvantaged areas as well as rolling out the principles driving the Sure Start approach to all services for children and parents.
Pre-School Learning Alliance (lead partner) represents and supports 15,000 community pre-schools in England. It aims to help children to succeed; create the childcare which families need and build learning communities.
Contact Sarah Pearson on 020 7014 9321
4Children is a leading national childcare charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for children and families, especially in the out of school childcare sector.
Contact PR team on 020 7512 2112
Daycare Trust is a leading national childcare charity, campaigning for quality, accessible, affordable childcare for all and raising the voices of children, parents and carers. We advise parents and carers, providers, employers, trade unions and policymakers on childcare issues.
Contact Beth Reid on 020 7840 3350
National Childminding Association is a membership organisation and national charity, promoting quality home-based childcare for the benefit of children, families and communities.
Contact Kim Evans on 020 8290 8966
National Day Nurseries Association is the only national membership association representing day nurseries in the UK. The charity is dedicated to the provision, support and promotion of high quality care and education for all children in the early years.
Contact Joanne Taylor on 0870 774 4244
National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) is a major charity working to support parents in bringing up their children, to promote the well-being of families and make society more family friendly.
Contact Louise Laing on 020 7424 3460