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Local authorities have been given strategic responsibility for the delivery of children's centres. They are planning the location and development of centres to meet children's centre targets, in consultation with parents and other key partners.

The Sure Start Children's Centre programme is based on the concept that providing integrated education, care, family support and health services are key factors in determining good outcomes for children and their parents. The concept itself is not a new one. Sure Start Children's Centres are about building on existing good practice, rather than starting afresh.

The Sure Start Children's Centre model builds on principles developed, and lessons learned, through earlier Sure Start funded settings which are expected to become children's centres over the next few years. For further information on these programmes, click on the link in sure start settings section.

A significant number of families with young children already benefit from good quality integrated services. Sure Start Children's Centres enhance these services and extend the benefits to more families — bringing an integrated approach to service delivery to areas where it is most needed.

Most Sure Start Children's Centres will be developed from earlier Sure Start funded settings and other existing providers including maintained nursery schools, primary schools and other local ‘early years' provision including voluntary and private settings.

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