Frequently asked questions

Before contacting us about Sure Start or issues relating to early years and childcare, please take a look at our list of answers to the most popular questions below.

Requests for hard copies of leaflets or documents should be made to our publications department, Prolog, by telephone on 0845 60 222 60 or by post or email.

1. What is Sure Start and how did it come about?

Sure Start is a government programme which aims to deliver the best start in life for every child. It brings together early education, childcare, health and family support. Sure Start covers a wide range of programmes both universal and those targeted on particular local areas or disadvantaged groups within England.

All Sure Start local programmes will eventually become children’s centres. Local authorities are responsible for Sure Start settings and children’s centres, and the services on offer may vary from area to area.

The first Sure Start local programmes were set up in 1999 as the result of the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review, and more information is availble on the history and origins of Sure Start.

2. Is there a Sure Start local programme or children’s centre in my area? Can they help me, and how do I contact them?

To find out more about Sure Start services in your area and how you can access them, contact your nearest Sure Start local programme or children’s centre. You can find children's centres through the search facility on this site, or through your local children’s information service at ChildcareLink (tel. 0800 0960296). ChildcareLink can also help with a range of queries about early years and childcare services in your area.

3. Am I entitled to a Sure Start maternity grant and how do I apply?

Jobcentre Plus is responsible for Sure Start maternity grants, which are £500 grants from the Social Fund to help with the extra cost of a new baby if your income is low. You can find the phone number and address of Jobcentre Plus in the business section of the phone book. If you have a question about an existing application you should contact the local Jobcentre Plus office to which you applied. The Department for Children, Schools and Families is unable to deal with any enquiries about the maternity grant.

4. How can I become a volunteer in a Sure Start local programme or children’s centre?

If you wish to become a volunteer at a Sure Start local programme or children’s centre, you will need to contact them individually and directly. Every centre makes their own decisions about who is recruited as a volunteer.

5. How do I go about getting a job in childcare, early years or playwork and what qualifications do I need?

Getting a job in childcare
For information about working in early years and childcare visit the Childcare Careers website. Alternatively, call free on 0800 99 66 00 to request an information pack.

Qualifications
Information about qualifications required for a variety of job roles and settings is available from the Children's Workforce Development Council.

Training
For more information about local training options, work placements and job opportunities, contact the early years and childcare recruitment team at your local authority. You will find their details in the local contacts section of the Childcare Careers website, along with information about different careers and case study examples.

Contacting local programmes and children's centres
If you wish to apply to work for a Sure Start local programme or children’s centre, you will need to contact them individually and directly.

Click to read a list of contact details for individual Sure Start local programmes and children’s centres.

6. Where can I get financial assistance to study for a foundation degree in early years and childcare?

Aim Higher can provide advice about financial help when studying for a higher education qualification, including a foundation degree in early years and childcare.

7. Can I advertise or offer my goods or services on the Sure Start website?

We no longer provide an advertising service on the Sure Start website. Sure Start local programmes and children’s centres are individually responsible for making decisions about the goods and services they purchase, and who they work with. Therefore, you will need to contact them individually and directly.

A list of contact details for individual Sure Start local programmes and children’s centres can be found through the Children’s Information Service (tel. 0800 0960296).

For data protection reasons, we cannot provide mailing lists of Sure Start settings.

8. Where can I find financial help and support in setting up my own childcare business?

The government makes funding available through local authorities to create and expand early years and childcare provision. All funding decisions are at the discretion of the local authority and they are best placed to provide assistance to local early years and childcare providers, including advice on possible sources of funding available.

Contact the business support officer at your local authority to see what financial and business support is available.

9. Can I use the Sure Start logo and where can I find electronic versions of it?

Guidance is available on using the Sure Start logo, along with electronic copies of the various approved styles.

10. Is my child entitled to free early education and how do I find out more?

All three- and four-year-olds are entitled to free early education for 12.5 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. However, the right to a free part-time early education place does not entitle you to a free place with a particular provider.

There should be no charge made in order to obtain your child's minimum entitlement. All providers of early education in schools, and in private and voluntary settings, receive funding from their local authority to offer the free place. However, providers may charge for additional services outside the free entitlement. The level of the fees is a private matter for agreement between you and the provider.

Your local children’s information service can provide advice on the local provision of free nursery places. Contact details are available on the ChildcareLink website or by telephoning 0800 096 0296.

11. What is happening with National Sure Start month this year?

The national model established in previous National Sure Start months will change this year. Rather than running national umbrella activity, DCSF will focus on empowering local settings to showcase their services to parents and families directly. An online communications toolkit for Sure Start Children's Centres has been produced to support them in promoting their services locally. The tips and advice will be useful for both summer activity and promotion throughout the year.

National partners, including the Daycare Trust, 4 Children, National Day Nurseries Association, National Childminding Association and Pre-school Learning Alliance (PSLA), will be running themed childcare weeks, supported by DCSF. The associated promotional activity will provide the context for centres and childcare providers to host events, reach out to local people, and promote their services to parents.

Details of partner activity will be promoted on the Sure Start website shortly.

Contact us

If you did not find the information you require, contact the Department for Children, Schools and Families by email at info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk or by telephone on 0870 000 2288. Further popular questions are answered on the Department for Children, Schools and Families website.