The new Sure Start unit is now up and running, and in March, new funding comes on line. This will take childcare into the next phase and includes early years education, and family and health services, with a budget of over 1.5 billion by 2005-06, designed to support families from pregnancy until children are 14.
Under the new unit, existing Sure Start services will be expanded - with added emphasis on health and family support. The unit will also bring together universal, free, early education and more and better childcare, with greater assistance where there is greater need through the childcare tax credit, children's centres and ongoing support for Sure Start local programmes.
Sure Start heralds a period of great change in the childcare field and so this year Kids' Clubs Network's annual conference will focus on what the future might hold and how to maximize the opportunities for children out of school in this brave new world. How, for example, do we make the most of the increasing role of schools? How do we best deliver services for all children, including those in need and thoseat risk?
Tomorrow's World will be held in London on 13 and 14 March just days before the start of the new programme for Sure Start begins. This is the biggest annual conference in the childcare calendar and this is your chance to let us know what you think about the future for childcare in the UK.
So, if you have any questions for the panel send them through to us at information.office@kidsclubs.org.ukand we'll try to ensure that they are put to the keynote speakers.
If you want to know more about the conference then visit our website www.kidsclubs.org.uk