Sure Start

What difference did it make to them?

maddyone

I worked in a school that had a Sure Start nursery on the same campus. The Sure Start nursery closed through lack of sufficient children. The parents preferred the school nursery class. I never really thought much about the Sure Start scheme, it seemed like a colossal waste of money to me. The classes and groups that it was supposed to engage in were available elsewhere for a small charge. I don’t really think lifting children’s GCSE grades by one point will change much for the children.

I disagree. The one point is an average, so some children would have had their attainment raised by more than one point. The difference a point at GCSE could make the difference between where they're allowed to study for sixth form.

I never used SureStart, but I did receive tax credits for both my children at some stage and they received free school meals. The school received Pupil Premium for them. The little bit of extra help made a huge difference for both of them.

GrannyGravy13

My AC have always had to provide nappies and lunch for their nursery age children, as did I many moons ago.

Mid morning/mid afternoon snacks are provided by the nursery.

We still have a Sure Start Centre locally, it is underused according to a staff member.

I didn't. Both my children were in a private nursery full-time from the age of six months and I never provided food or nappies (I guess they were factored into the price I paid). The cost of snacks was included in the price I paid for after-school club too.

I was on the committee of the after-school club and we included food in the fees. Some parents received some support through tax credits, which paid for their food.

Luckygirl3 I so agree. Not sure it could be restarted now as health visitors seem non existent and there are no longer the community links around to make it work . In addition so many parents have to go back to work far too soon to enable families to survive.
Hopefully the next government will at least regenerate Sure Starts in areas where it is most needed to support young families, although I think all young families whatever their circumstances would benefit.

Yes whoever said long term strategy is right. Sure start did good work and were just beginning to look at where it wasnt working quite wel eg the hard to reach families and looking for new ways to engage with them. Complex intergenerational problems cant be solved overnight.

Grr. Redundant apostrophe at mums

Sure Start was as much for the parents as the children. It helped mum's in particular who didn't have money or support. It offered them a mentor for advice and gave them an opportunity to raise questions about child rearing with non judgemental people, usually sympathic older women. My friend was one. I think the point about nappies and food is taking the thread in a slightly different path.

When I was at teacher training college in sixties I remember a lecture about early years support being so much more use than post sixteen but it was too expensive. Austerity did so much damage. I don’t think the Sure Start centres were given long enough to get going in some places. Change takes time.

I worked in a school that had a Sure Start nursery on the same campus. The Sure Start nursery closed through lack of sufficient children. The parents preferred the school nursery class. I never really thought much about the Sure Start scheme, it seemed like a colossal waste of money to me. The classes and groups that it was supposed to engage in were available elsewhere for a small charge. I don’t really think lifting children’s GCSE grades by one point will change much for the children.

Parents pay for those things themselves.

Funding is just for the hours of attendance.

My AC have always had to provide nappies and lunch for their nursery age children, as did I many moons ago.

Mid morning/mid afternoon snacks are provided by the nursery.

We still have a Sure Start Centre locally, it is underused according to a staff member.

I don’t understand why the parents don’t provide the food and nappies themselves. Obviously there shouldn’t be profit making by the nursery on food and nappies, but nor do I see why tax payers should pay for these items which it is the parent’s job to provide. Many tax payers are not rich, many are pensioners such as many on GN. It is not up to them to provide food and nappies for children at nursery. Free places mean free of childcare costs, not free food and nappies.

Because they are not charged at cost - they are charged with a profit margin.

many parents are charged for food and nappies

Just why shouldn’t parents pay for their own child’s food and nappies?

Hope the LP will bring back Sure Start, it was a welcome lifeline for a lot of families.

We had a lovely Sure Start near us. I used to go with my daughter sometimes when she took her girls there. The staff could be relied upon to give advice and support and I wonder who helps new and unsure Mums with all that now. They even had a small garden for children to sew seeds and learn about vegetables. So short sighted of the Government to have closed these but it ticked a box, no doubt. I once heard Sunak say that providing the best education for children in this country is what made him enter politics. Well education begins in centres like Sure Start and they should never have been closed down.

I absolutely agree with you.