The history of Sure Start

Sure Start Children’s Centres were developed from earlier Sure Start funded settings, including Sure Start Local Programmes, Neighbourhood Nurseries and Early Excellence centres. Other existing providers, such as maintained nursery schools, primary schools and other local early years provision, including voluntary and private settings, have also provided the basis for Sure Start Children’s Centres.

Sure Start grew out of the recognition that deprivation was blighting the lives of too many children and families in disadvantaged areas. It was established in 1997, and within two years the first Sure Start Local Programmes were set up. Their remit was to bring together early education, childcare, health and family support for the benefit of young children (under the age of four) living in disadvantaged areas and their parents. Local programmes were an area-based initiative which had the aim of improving the health and well-being of families and children from before birth to age four. The original target was to establish 250 Sure Start Local Programmes by March 2002, starting with ‘trailblazer’ programmes set up during 1999 and 2000. In 2000, this was expanded so that more families could benefit.

By the end of 2003, there were 524 Sure Start Local Programmes serving the most deprived communities. Furthermore, in 2001 the Neighbourhood Nurseries programme aimed to create 45,000 new high-quality, accessible and affordable, full-day care places for children under five in the poorest areas of England. From 2004, these programmes have formed the basis of Sure Start Children’s Centres with over 2,500 centres now serving young children and their families. By 2010 there will be 3,500 children’s centres, one for every community.

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