Alan Whitehead

Labour Party | Southampton Test

12 CHILDREN’S CENTRES NOW OPEN IN SOUTHAMPTON

12 Children’s Centres are now open in Southampton– up from just 4 two years ago. 

Dr Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, welcomed the news and said that over 10,000 Southampton children under five and their families now have access to the range of services Sure Start offers.

Sure Start Children’s Centres are a one-stop shop for families and children under five. They offer easy access to a range of services including early years learning, childcare, family health services, and advice and support for parents. A recent independent evaluation report found that Sure Start was having a positive impact on the lives of children and families.

The Government this week announced that its target to have 2,500 Children’s Centres open across the country by the start of this month has been beaten – with 2,906 Children’s Centres open in England by 31 March 2008. By 2010 there will be 3,500 Children’s Centres, one for every community.

Dr Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, said:

"While ten years ago there were no Children's Centres, today there are 12 centres in Southampton offering services to some 10,037 families and children.  I know from visiting Children’s Centres in my constituency – such as Footsteps in Millbrook and The Warren Centre in Shirley– the big difference it has made to so many families in our area and how much parents rely on the services Sure Start provides.

"As every parent knows, the earliest years of a child's life are critical to their future development. It's also a time when parents need advice and support. That’s why this Labour Government has made investing in Sure Start, high quality childcare and nursery education a big priority. There is now an entitlement to a free nursery place for every three and four year old – and almost 5000 children in Southampton are today benefiting.

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls added:

"Congratulations to everybody who has helped to get all the new Children’s Centres in Southampton off the ground, including Sure Start staff and all the volunteers who help out. While the Tories want to cut £200 million per year from Sure Start, Labour will continue to invest in Sure Start in Southampton and across the country. The range of services offered by Sure Start are being expanded and there will soon be a Children’s Centre in every community.”