Ian McCartney MP

Ian McCartney was official guest of honour at the opening of the latest addition to the network of Sure Start centres across the Borough bringing the total of Sure Start Childrens’ Centres to 18. By 2010 two new centres for Standish/Aspull and Lowton will be open bringing the total to twenty sites.

Bryn Children's Centre new build was completed in Autumn 2008. The Centre is based on the site of St Peters School and is lead and managed by Head Teacher Chris Calderbank.

Sure Start Children's Centres support children under the age of five and their families, providing easy access to health services, parenting and family support, advice and support for parents including drop in sessions, outreach services, integrated early education and childcare, and links to training and employment opportunities.

Ian McCartney MP said, “I know from talking to local parents that Sure Start Children’s Centres right across the borough are making a real positive difference to local families."

"Sure Start was never an event. It is a journey - to transform local services for young children and their families. It is at the heart of my aspiration to give every child in Wigan the best start, to reduce social inequality and end child poverty. The new centre here in Bryn will bring to life that vision and give us all cause to be optimistic that Sure Start will continue to make a real difference."

“I welcome all the hard work that parents, practitioners and Wigan Council have done to make sure that young children have the best possible start in life and I pledge to keep this a key focus of my work in parliament.”

Latest research published by TNS – the market research specialist surveyed parents views and usage of Sure Start Children’s Centres.

Survey of Parents views and usage of Sure Start Children’s Centres.

• Parents are happy with Sure Start Children’s Centres

A survey of parent views about children’s centres shows that 92 per cent of parents were very satisfied with the services they had received. The report provides clear evidence that Children’s Centres are popular and well liked with all groups of parents. This complements existing evidence that centres are making a positive difference to the lives of children and families and improving child outcomes

• Levels of usage are high and they are reaching their target populations

The report says that use of the local centres was widespread - nearly half (45%) of all respondents had ever used or attended their local centre. The report goes on to say that: “The profile of centre users very closely matches the profile of respondents overall and there is no evidence that any sub-groups within the community are monopolising the centres. Equally, the results suggest that no sub-groups are being excluded from or failing to access the centres.”

Across the country, the Government is on track to meet its target of delivering 3,500 Sure Start Children's Centres across England by 2010 providing access to services for all children under 5 years and their families. By 2010 there will be centres in every community.

The Government has allocated over £3 billion through the Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare Grant from 2008 – 2011 to support existing centres and to deliver the commitment to 3,500 centres by 2010.

The Secretary of State for Education and Skills formally announced to Parliament the Government’s intention to legislate for Sure Start Children's Centres on 22 December so that local authorities have a duty to deliver early childhood services through children’s centres. The Bill containing this legislation has completed Commons Committee with the clauses relating to children’s centres scrutinised on 26 March 2009.