A new campaign has been launched to fight for the universal services for all families and children under five that are provided by Sure Start, which have been threatened by the Tories. The ‘Shout out for a Sure Start’ was set up this week by the charity 4Children and the popular children’s TV character Peppa Pig.
A new website has been launched giving more information and whetre people can sign a petition to show their support for the campaign at www.shoutoutforasurestart.org.uk
Local parents have told me how much they value the services provided by their local Sure Start Children’s Centres. Most of them say they can’t imagine what it would be like if their local Children’s Centre wasn’t there. Of course back in 1997 there weren’t any Children’s Centres in Derby. It’s only thanks to the investment from the Labour government that there are now 17 across the city, offering services to hundreds of families with young children. Several more are due to open in Derby later this year.
It is now recognised that the early years of a child’s life are vitally important, which is why Labour is committed to continue investing in Sure Start. But Labour’s commitment isn’t shared by the Tories. Rather than the universal service for all families that Labour has created, David Cameron says Sure Start should only be reserved for the poorest families. He wants to cut £200m per year from Labour’s investment in Sure Start. That would lead to one in five children’s centres being forced to close their doors.
David Cameron’s plans would be a big step backwards in Derby because our Sure Start Children’s Centres are making a real difference to hundreds of local families. That’s why I’m backing this campaign to shout out for Sure Start and promote the universal services on offer for families across Derby like childcare and healthcare.
This is the list of Derby’s Children’s Centres. Under David Cameron’s plans, at least three of them would be forced to close.
• Alvaston
Lakeside Primary School, Alvaston, London Road, Derby, Derbyshire, DE24 8UY
• Austin Sunnyhill Children's Centre
Homelands, Old Normanton, Browning Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 8DN
• Babington (formally known as Normanton)
Stonehill Nursery School, Stonehill Road, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 6TJ
• Becket Children's Centre
33 Stockbrook Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 3WR
• Boulton Children's Centre
47b Holbrook Road, Alvaston, Derby , Derbyshire, DE24 0DD
• Chaddesden (South)
c/o Meadow Farm Community Promary School, Chaddesden, Foyle Avenue, Derby, DE21 6TZ
• Derwent Children's Centre
c/o Beaufort Community Primary School, Hampshire Road, Derby, Derbyshire, DE21 6BT
• Mackworth Morley Children's Centre
Reigate Primary School, Mackworth, Reigate Drive, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 4EQ
• Mickleover/Littleover (Brookfield)
Mickelover Littleover Children's Centre, Mickleover, 50 Brierfield Way, Derby, Derbyshire, DE3 9SA
• North Chaddesden
3 Audrey Drive, Chaddesden, Derby, Derbyshire, DE21 4NP
• Oakwood
c/o Parkview Primary School, Oakwood, Springwood Drive, Derby, DE21 2RQ
• Osmaston Allenton Children's Centre (Lord Street)
Lord Street Community Nursery School, Allenton, Lord Street , Derby, Derbyshire, DE24 8XB
• Pear Tree
Pear Tree Community Room, Pear Tree Junior School, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 8PN
• Sinfin Children and Young People's Centre
Sinfin Lane, Sinfin, Sinfin Moor, Derby , Derbyshire, DE24 9PG
• Spondon Children's Centre
c/o Asterdale Primary School, Spondon, Borrowash Road, Derby, Derbyshire, DE21 7PH
• Sure Start Rosehill Children's Centre
Sure Start Centre, 17 - 19 Lower Dale Road, The Big Building, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 6WY
• West End Children's Centre
Central Nursery School, 43 Nuns Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 3LR
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