EARLY years education is undergoing a major revamp -- and children in Blackburn and Darwen will be among the first to experience some of the changes.
Two Children's Centres -- the first of their kind in East Lancashire -- will be launched tomorrow spelling a new era of council-run services for children and their parents. CLARE COOK reports. . .
A NEW thrust to end child poverty, improve the chances for children in the most deprived areas and make child care accessible and affordable for all.
That's the result of the Government's National Care Strategy and the inter departmental Child Care review in 1998.
At local level, education chiefs joined forces with Social Services at Blackburn with Darwen Council to hit the drawing board and review Early Years provision in the area.
For Blackburn with Darwen has 14 out of 22 wards that are in the top 20 per cent of the most deprived areas nationwide.
The wish list was groundbreaking: free nursery places for three and four-year-olds, Neighbourhood Nursery initiatives, investment in Out of School Care, tax credits and most recently the development of Children's Centres.
Parents, carers and families were asked what they wanted in terms of care for the under five's whilst private, voluntary and independent services were reviewed in terms of what was already on offer.
So the council, Sure Start -- the national grant-awarding unit to improve facilities for under 5s -- and Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust teamed up to create a network of 13 Children's Centres across the borough by 2006.
An investment of £15million was committed from the council, neighbourhood nursery initiatives, the Lottery's New Opportunities Fund and the government's Social Regeneration Budget.
And the new partnership will be strengthened by the creation of a Children's Trust - one of the first in the country - which will see all three partners pooling resources to deliver services in a truly "joined-up" way.
The first two Children's Centres will be launched on Friday. They are the first of their kind in East Lancashire and among a handful nationwide.
Others in Longshaw, Seven Trees, Pringle Street, Accrington Road and Shadsworth will follow in April.
Now if parents are looking for childcare or nursery education for their children, want to learn new skills or need help and advice on health or family matters, the Children's Centres are the place to go.
Head of Early Years at the council, Gladys Rhodes, said: "The government initiated the move to give every three and four-year-olds access to a free two-and-a-half hour session of care five days a week during term time.
"But lots of families needed wrap around care to add to this -- and the Children's Centres answer this need.
"We have become a forerunner and this is a major coup for the borough.
"The government realised just giving out family credit was not going to improve things. If you have got good income and access to transport you have more choices and opportunities in life. But if you are someone with few qualifications or prospects you have less chance to improve your lot and this has a direct knock on effect on children.
"This is a chance to raise people's aspirations and reverse the cycle of deprivation. If we start early, these children will not fall behind at school and their chances in life are multiplied phenomenally. Ending child poverty is about enabling people to help themselves."
Each centre will offer childcare sessions for under fives which residents can use as they need, from an hour or two up to a full day. Out of School Clubs, access to
childminders and even advice on funding childcare - such as Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or the New Deal are also on hand.
Nursery education for three and four-year-olds is available from the centres, and a team of midwives and health visitors will deliver a range of health services.
Family support is available including specialist care and advice for children with disabilities.
But the centres are also about parents moving forward with their own lives.
Adults whose children attend the centres can take up learning, whether it be computer skills, first aid or vocational qualifications to get back to work.
And their will be information on job vacancies and help with applications.
Parents, carers and local residents are invited to the launch and for a fun day between 1pm and 4pm. For more information call SureStart on 01254 667877.
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