national
NEWS RELEASE
2 June 2005
National Sure Start Month 2005
The start of a month of celebrations, National Sure Start Month was launched today with a party at London Zoo.
Lord Andrew Adonis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools was in attendance and met with guests who, chosen to reflect the wide variety of Sure Start users, included members of pre-schools, an after school club and independent childcarers as well as families with their children. Face-painting, a bouncy castle and magicians all added to the festive atmosphere.
Lord Adonis said:
"I am really pleased to have the opportunity to meet some of the people who make Sure Start the excellent programme that it is — along with some of the parents and children who have benefited directly from its work."
At the same time, new Minister for Children, Young People and Families, the Rt. Hon. Beverley Hughes MP was attending an event at a children's centre in Cumbria.
The Minister said:
"I am delighted to be visiting Carlisle South children's centre to see at first hand the variety and quality of what Sure Start has to offer to local children and their parents.
This is the fourth National Sure Start Month, celebrating its achievements and letting everyone know that through Sure Start every child gets the best start in life and parents have more choice about how to balance work and family life."
Thousands of childcare, early education and family support services will be celebrating National Sure Start Month across England this June. 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.
Images from the event at London Zoo will be forwarded to picture desks by 1pm today, if you have any urgent queries please contact Sarah Pearson on 07855 816 379
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