Council and democracy

Sure Start Children's Centres - What is a children's centre?

Integrated services for children and families

Children’s centre programmes are based on the concept that providing integrated education, care, family support and health services is a key factor in determining good outcomes for children and their parents.

The concept itself is not a new one. Children’s centres are about building on existing good practice, rather than starting afresh. A significant number of families with young children already benefit from good quality integrated services. children’s centres enhance these services and extend the benefits to more families — bringing an integrated approach to service delivery to areas where it is most needed.

Children's centres are expected to provide the following core services to children under 5 and their families:

• Early education integrated with full day care, including early identification of and provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Parental outreach.
• Family support, including support for parents with special needs.
• Health services
• A base for childminders, and a service hub within the community for parents and providers of childcare services.
• Effective links with Jobcentre Plus, local training providers and further and higher education institutions
• Effective links with Children's Information Services, Neighbourhood Nurseries, Out of School Clubs and Extended Schools
• Management and workforce training

Where are the children's centres?

To find out where the nearest Children's Centre is to you please use the link below Children's Centres in Hertfordshire. Hertfordshire has nominated 44 lead agencies to develop each new centre together with its partner agencies and local communities. The electronic document (PDF) on this page contains a list of those agencies.