Sylvia Heal

Labour Party | Halesowen and Rowley Regis

35 Children’s Centres now open in Sandwell and Dudley

17 Children’s Centres are now open in Dudley – up from just four two years ago with eleven more now open in Sandwell. There are now five centres in Halesowen and Rowley Regis.

Sylvia Heal Labour MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis, welcomed the news and said that nearly 30,000 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.

Sylvia Heal MP said: "While ten years ago there were no Children's Centres, today there are thirty five across Sandwell and Dudley.  Within the constituency of Halesowen and Rowley Regis there are six centres, in Tenterfields, Olive Hill, Cradley Heath and Old Hill, Rowley Hall and Rowley Springfield.”

“I know from visits to these Children’s Centres the big difference they have 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. We’ve introduced an entitlement to a free nursery place for every three and four year old – and 13,835 children in Sandwell and Dudley are today benefiting”.