Uppeldi og menntun - 01.07.2006, Page 100

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1. the best start in life for every child;
2. better opportunities for parents;
3. affordable, good quality childcare;
4. stronger and safer communities.
The Children’s Centre programme is based on the concept that providing integrated
education, care, family support and health services are key factors in determining
good outcomes for children and their parents. The concept itself is not a new one in
England. 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. It is intended that 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.
High quality teacher input is one of the core components of a Children’s Centre; it
is seen as crucial that local authorities ensure that all children using the Centre receive
the very best educational and care ex­periences. The centres will be, for many families
and their children, their first ex­perience of childcare and education. Teachers will
therefore play an important role in making sure that they find the centre an inviting,
ex­citing place to be.
The Children’s Centre core offer includes integrated early learning, care, family
support, health services, outreach services to children and families not attending the
Centre and access to training and employment advice. Children’s Centres will be
models of multi-agency and partnership working. at the heart of a centre will be high
quality learning and full day care for children from birth. Children’s Centres will be
ex­pected to provide the following services to children under 5 and their families:
1. Early education integrated with full day care, including early identification of
and provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
2. Parental outreach.
3. Family support, including support for parents with special needs.
4. Health services.
5. a base for childminders, and a service hub within the community for parents
and providers of childcare services.
6. Effective links with Jobcentre Plus, local training providers and further and
higher education institutions.
7. Effective links with Children’s Information Services, Neighbourhood Nurseries,
Out of School Clubs and Ex­tended Schools.
8. Management and workforce training.
Under new legislation (Children act 2004, Childcare act 2006) local authorities in Eng-
land have been given strategic responsibility for the delivery of Children’s Centres.
They are planning the location and development of centres to meet targets set by the
Sure Start unit, in consultation with parents and other key partners. The majority
of Children’s Centres will be developed from ex­isting state funded Sure Start local
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