Sure Start exists to ensure that every child is given the best possible start in life. The programme has been crucial in increasing the availability of childcare, improving health and early development and supporting parents and their aspirations.

Sure Start Centres provide early learning provision, activities for young children and family heath services such as postnatal support and advice on nutrition alongside help for parents in finding training and employment. Whilst ten years ago there were no Sure Start Centres locally or nationally, now more than 2.3 million children under five and their families have access to services through nearly 3,000 Centres across England, and by March 2010 every family will have access to a Sure Start Children’s Centre.

In Lambeth there are 25 Sure Start Centres, including 9 across the Streatham constituency:

• Effra Children’s Centre
• Jubilee Children’s Centre
• Maytree Children’s Centre
• Streatham United Reformed Church Children’s Centre
• Streatham Wells Children’s Centre
• Sunnyhill Children’s Centre
• The Weir Link Children’s Centre
• Tree House Children’s Centre at Holmewood Nursery School
• Woodmansterne Children’s Centre

Opposition politicians in Westminster recently announced plans to slash £200m from the Sure Start budget, a cut of almost 20%.  In Lambeth, this would be the equivalent of closing 5 children’s centres, just at a time when families need affordable childcare more than ever. The first years of a child’s life are of crucial importance. The proposed cuts risk leaving families without the support they need and would damage a programme which has made a real difference for so many parents and children, which is why Labour will continue to support and fund our centres.

In the video below, you can watch Childrens Minister, Bev Hughes MP, and Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls MP’s visit to a Sure Start centre in Stockwell in May last year.

Gabriel Huntley