Overview

Sure Start is an innovative, child focused, community based health and education initiative. It aims to give every child the best possible start in life.

Sure Start is an implementation of the policy "Children First" a Government initiative aimed at tackling poverty and inequalities for children.

There are 32 Sure Start projects currently operating throughout Northern Ireland, catering for approximately 34,000 pre school children and their families. Over the past year projects have been awarded additional funding to develop a "Programme for 2 year olds" and improve access to day-care for parents wishing to return to work or employment.

Early Years play a key role in a number of the Sure Start projects by:

• Acting as employer
• Providing Lead and / or Accountable Body services
• Chairing meetings
• Providing strategic direction to projects
• Providing expert early years advice and support
• Providing access to evidence based practice for practitioners
• Ensuring high quality practice
• Ensuring consistency across those projects where Early Years are involved

Early Years - the organisation for young children, 6c Wildflower Way, Apollo Road, Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6TA
Tel: +44 (0)28 9066 2825  |  Fax: +44 (0)28 9038 1270

Registered in Northern Ireland NO: 23257 Inland Revenue Charity NO: 48519
Formerly known as NIPPA
© 2007 - 2009 Early Years - the organisation for young children