Children’s centre services to be at the heart of pregnancy and early years

More support for parents within community settings will be coming through the Sure Start Children’s Centres.

Over the last ten years, 3500 centres have opened in the country, with help and advice on parenting, childcare, health and employment as well as play sessions on offer through local centres.

The service is now aiming to be a main access point for all parents and parents-to-be for advice throughout pregnancy and the early years.

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls said: “And all mums and dads-to-be will be offered a personal introduction to their local Sure Start centre and their own Sure Start contact who will provide the advice, support and stability parents need throughout pregnancy and the early years of their child’s life.

“Children’s centres are at the heart of our drive to improve early years services. In the same way all families can access GPs and schools, children’s centres will be providing a universal service to all parents – especially the most disadvantaged.”

The future direction of Sure Start Centres are part of a review of the maternity and early years services, with new measures just announced to help all families.

Other measures to be introduced include allowing parents with babies on neonatal wards to be offered overnight accommodation

Women are to be offered more choice about where they give birth and a series of family meetings will take place between families-to-be and health visitors during pregnancy.

A new Advisory Panel has also been set up by the Government, to find out more about providing pre-schoolers with properly balanced food to help establish healthy eating habits.

They are aiming to build on findings from a report published by the School Food Trust finding that nursery food is not good enough for children.