Sure Start Children's Centres: Phase 3 planning and delivery

This guidance is for local authorities and Sure Start Children’s Centres and focuses on the issues for the third phase which completes the national roll-out of 3,500 children’s centres. It provides additional information to supplement, not replace, earlier guidance in Sure Start Children’s Centres Planning and Performance Management Guidance, which was issued in November 2006.

Phase 3 centres will provide improved access to services for families living in less disadvantaged and more affluent areas. Services, provided in partnership with private, voluntary, independent and statutory agencies, will include: outreach services for isolated families at greatest risk of social exclusion; information and advice for mothers, fathers and carers on a range of subjects for young children; support for childminders via a quality-assured, co-ordinated network; activities for parents/carers and children at the centre; and links to Jobcentre Plus advice on training and employment opportunities for parents.

Local authorities, together with their delivery partners within children’s trusts, are responsible for planning and delivering 3,500 children’s centres by 2010, one for every community.

More information on Sure Start Children's Centres