Sure Start

Department for Children, Schools and Families
Level 2
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA

Tel: 0870 000 2288
Web: www.surestart.gov.uk

Sure Start is the Government's programme to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, and health and family support.

The Sure Start Unit delivers both universal programmes and those targeted on areas of disadvantage. It supports families from pregnancy right through until children are 14, including those with special needs and disabilities up to age 16.

Sure Start programmes work with parents-to-be, parents, and children to:

• Promote the physical, intellectual and social development of young children - particularly those who are disadvantaged - so that they can flourish at home, when they get to school, and during later life.
• Help strengthen families and reduce child poverty by enabling parents to maximise their opportunities to work, learn and study, confident their children are being cared for in a safe and stimulating environment.
• Contribute to building and sustaining strong local communities through high quality and innovatively delivered family services, which respond to the needs of the communities they serve.