Sure Start Children’s Centres provide one of three core offers depending on the level of deprivation of the area it is serving:
Integrated early learning and childcare for babies and children until they are five years old;
Integrated learning and care suitable for working mothers & fathers/carers for a minimum of 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year,10 hours a day;
Support for childminders, including a network;
Early identification of children with special needs and disabilities with inclusive services and support for their families; and
Links to local schools.
Visits to all families in the catchment area within two months of the child’s birth;
Activities to raise community awareness, particularly among disadvantaged groups;
Co-ordinated programme of home visits;
Systems for referring/signposting families to further services;
Systems for monitoring services usage by particular families or groups; and
Where possible key worker system.
Information for parents/carers about the range of family support services and activities available in the area;
Support and advice on parenting including support at significant transition points for the family (e.g. pre birth, early days, settling into childcare);
Access to specialist, targeted services for those families which need them eg support for parents/carers of disabled children;
Activities which increase parents/carers' understanding of their child's development; and
Specific strategies and activities which increase the involvement of fathers.
Antenatal advice and support for mothers & fathers/carers;
Child Health Promotion Programme;
Information and guidance on breast feeding, hygiene, nutrition and safety;
Promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, including identification, support and care for those suffering from maternal depression, antenatally and post-natally;
Speech and language and other specialist support;
Support for healthy lifestyles; and
Help in stopping smoking.
Consultation and information sharing with mothers & fathers/carers, on what services are needed, and systems to get user feedback on services; and
Ongoing arrangements in place to ensure mothers & fathers/carers have a voice e.g. parents’ forums, including fathers.
Children's centres will link with Jobcentre Plus to encourage and support parents/carers who wish to consider training and employment.
the offer of appropriate support and outreach services to parents/carers and children who have been identified as in need of them;
information and advice to fathers and mothers/carers on a range of subjects including;
support to childminders via a coordinated network, but also to other childminders in the area;
drop-in sessions and other activities for children and mothers & fathers/carers at the centre;
links to Jobcentre Plus services; and
community health services including local midwives and health visitors based in the centre or operating from it.
outreach services for isolated parents/carers and children at risk of social exclusion, including health visitors linked with the centre, underpinned with good information and data about families in the local area;
information and advice to fathers and mothers /carers on a range of subjects;
support to childminders via a quality assured, coordinated network, but also to other childminders in the area;
activities for children and mothers and fathers/carers at the centre;
links with Jobcentre Plus; and
access to community health services.