Linda Gilroy MP today visited the DELL Childrens centre in Efford to see what a difference Sure Start had made to the community and to young children there.  

The Government is committed to a free early years place for every 3 and 4 year old moving from the current 12.5 hours a week, to 15 hours a week by 2010, with the long term aim being 20 hours a week. Plymouth Council will receive £21.5 million from the Government to achieve this.

Linda said: "In 1997 there were hardly any people working in childcare and our record, compared to what other European children had, was lamentable.  Now some 50,000 people work in the sector and I met 10 of them today - and some parents who are helping to spread the word.   We talked about how the money could be used to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for parents to find the services they need - from maternity checks and weighing babies, to childcare and getting back to work.

We also discussed how to reach out to some of the most disadvantaged families.  The team's enthusiasm was fantastic - I wished I could bottle it and bring it out as a tonic when people tell us that we are not doing anything worthwhile and have made no difference.  When a tall story was being told we used to say "Tell that to the marines!"  - now maybe we should say "Tell that to the Sure Start Teams!"

The 21 million allocated to Plymouth is part of a £4 billion Government grant to children’s centres, early years education and childcare.

The grant will pay for additional training and support for the early years workforce to make sure that every child receives high quality provision. By funding the training directly, the grant helps keep costs down and keeps childcare affordable. Quality will also be driven up by teacher advisers visiting all nurseries to see if quality is good enough, and offering advice and help.

The grant also includes funding to make sure that there are sufficient childcare places in each local authority area, so that parents can go back to work or into training.

The funding also aims to increase the take-up of childcare and early education, especially among disadvantaged groups. The funding will help local authorities identify needs and to work with local providers to meet them. The funding will also be used to make sure that parents know what is available.

3 October 2007