Sure Start

The first years of a child's life are of critical importance for his/her future development and well-being.  It is during the early months and years that a high percentage of learning takes place, attitudes are formed, first relationships are made, concepts are developed and the foundations for later skills and learning are built. The policy objective of Sure Start is to work with parents and children aged under four in areas of disadvantage to promote the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of pre-school children to ensure they flourish at home and when they get to school. 

Aims of Sure Start to improve:-

• the ability to learn by encouraging stimulating play, improving language skills and the early identification and support of children with learning difficulties
• health by supporting parents in caring for children and promoting children's health and development
• social development by supporting the development of early relationships between parents and children, good parenting skills, family functioning and early identification and support of children with emotional, learning or behavioural difficulties

Sure Start programmes have been designed specifically to reflect and respond to local needs.  For that reason each Sure Start project is unique in terms of the services it provides and the manner in which it provides them.  There are, however, core elements which must feature in any Sure Start programme:

• Outreach and Home Visiting Service - to make contact as early as possible in a child's life and draw families into using other services
• Family Support including befriending, social support and parenting information, both group and home based
• Good quality play, learning and childcare experiences for children (both group and home based)
• Primary and Community Health Care and Advice
• Speech Langauge and Communication Support
• Support for all children in the community recognising their differing needs