21.  Cross-Departmental Review of Provision for Young Children

The Government will improve support for children in the early stages of their lives by: setting up a Sure Start programme funded by a new Children's Fund. This reform will deliver, by the end of the Parliament: 250 local Sure Start programmes in England; a visit from an outreach worker for every new mother in Sure Start areas within the first three months after giving birth; and measurable improvements in the early development of children in Sure Start areas.

A new approach to provision for young children

21.1  Many children are not receiving the help they need to have a decent start in life. The provision of services to support young children and their families is at best patchy, particularly for 0-3 year olds. As a result, many children are falling behind even before they reach school, and many parents are finding it hard to cope.

21.2  Evidence has accumulated, both in the UK and around the world, showing that investment in early childhood can make all the difference to a child's lifetime opportunities, reducing health inequalities, helping performance at school, preventing truancy and reducing the risk of unemployment, drug abuse and crime.

21.3  Thirteen government departments have taken part in a review of provision for young children, looking in particular at what more could be done to give young children a better start in life. Many government departments have some responsibility for children, but spending on young children is fragmented and often uncoordinated. The Review found that although spending on young children costs the UK over £15 billion a year, it is not providing the support needed by some of the most disadvantaged young children and their families.

21.4  In consultation with a wide range of experts, the Review drew on evidence of what works best for young children, particularly those who are disadvantaged, to establish the right principles for improving services.

21.5   The Review showed that a range of services should ideally be brought together to support the complex and varied physical, developmental and emotional needs of young children and families. These should be easily accessible, ideally within "pram pushing distance", and backed up by outreach to offer support in the home.

21.6  A new "Sure Start" programme will apply these principles, providing new funds for local partnerships. Funding will support integrated and preventive provision of a range of services, targeted in particular on pre-school children and their families in areas of need.

21.7  Services will include childcare, primary health care (a major part of the Government's programme to reduce health inequalities), early education and play and support for families. Core services will be free to low income families and available at a fair cost to better off families where not already provided free. These and additional services will be developed in consultation with parents, reflecting local needs and building on existing services and initiatives such as Early Excellence Centres. The package of services will work with parents to promote the physical, intellectual and social development of the children served, so that they are ready to thrive when they reach school.

Spending plans

21.8  Sure Start funding will amount to £540 million over 3 years. This is new funding for pre-school children and their families to fill the gaps in services in areas where it is most needed. It will be held in a new Children's Fund, administered by new inter-departmental arrangements.

Table 21.1: New Children's Fund (UK)

Investing in reform to give young children a sure start

21.9  This commitment demonstrates the priority accorded to investment in opportunity for our youngest children. But the Government will also put in place arrangements to ensure that the new investment is spent well and the effectiveness of existing services improved.

21.10  This package of measures form a comprehensive and radical agenda. The Government is making the early years of childhood a priority, to work with parents to help them ensure their children are healthy, confident and ready to learn when they reach school and are therefore able to realise their potential.