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10 years of Children's Centres
"The tories in peterborough dragged their feet and it took 10 years to open the centre in East (Durham road) that was desperately needed, I bet they will try and flog this off as they tried with the playcentres".
Ed Balls recently visited local Children’s Centres to mark the milestone. The announcement means that the Labour government is on track to fulfil its manifesto pledge of 3,500 centres open by next year.
Seven Children’s Centres, which offer a range of services for children under 5 and their families, are now open in Peteborough. But Ed Murphy has warned that the £200 million cut proposed by David Cameron’s Conservatives means cutting almost 20 per cent of the Sure Start budget – the equivalent of closing one in five Children’s Centres.
“Sure Start Children’s Centres have transformed the services on offer for children and families in our area. Before the Labour government was elected there were no Children’s Centres but I’m delighted that there are now seven across Peterborough and free childcare for three and four year olds too.
“Parents in Peterborough regularly tell me how much they value their local Sure Start centre and the real help they offer with childcare, healthcare and other services for their children. So I want to thank all the Sure Start staff and volunteers in Peterborough who have helped to make them such a success.
“Unfortunately the Tories want to cut the Sure Start budget by £200 million per year. This is the equivalent of one in five Children’s Centres – 2 of the centres in our area – having to close their doors, just at the time when local families need them most. The Labour Government will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important. I don’t want to put that at risk by letting the Conservatives cut Sure Start.”
Labour’s Children’s Secretary Ed Balls MP added:
“We now have over 3,000 Sure Start Children’s Centres making a huge difference to parents and children up and down the country. This is a fantastic achievement and I want to thank all the staff and volunteers who have helped make Sure Start such as success in Peterborough.
“By next year there will be 3,500 centres and each one of them will soon be linked to a named health visitor. And while the Tories would cut funding, the Labour government will keep investing in Sure Start to make sure every child gets the best possible start in life.”
To see the report and video go to; http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Video-Government-minister-visits-Sure.5250166.jp
To find the names and locations of local Children’s Centres click on the link below: www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/settings/fundedsettings/
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Sure start
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