SPECIALIST centres for families in north and west Wiltshire have won government approval for their work in helping parents give their youngsters the best start in life.
The first Sure Start centres in the county, in Melksham, Chippenham and Warminster, have been examined by the Department for Education and Skills and had their Sure Start accreditation approved.
King's Park Children's Centre and the Queensway Chapel Pre-School and Children's Centre in Melksham, Redland Children's Centre in Chippenham and The Avenue Children's Centre in Warminster offer a wealth of services for the under-fives and their parents and carers.
As well as direct help for children, including learning through play, the centres offer antenatal and breastfeeding advice to parents, along with help to stop smoking, specialist health advice and a link with Jobcentre Plus to help them get training, work or education. The idea of bringing all these services under one roof, making it easier for families to get all the help they need, is what makes the centres so special.
By 2010 there will be 3,500 Sure Start centres across England. The county council is developing 16 other centres, aiming to have them up and running by March 2008.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article