Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes today celebrated the huge achievements of Sure Start and focused on the challenges ahead as she launched National Sure Start Month 2006. She was speaking as the largest ever handprint picture ever produced was unveiled at Tate Modern in London.

She thanked the 1,000 young children, their carers and parents from across England who worked on the 16 enormous canvas panels which come together to create the basketball court-sized flower masterpiece: Little Hands, Big Flowers. She was joined at the unveiling by Culture Minister David Lammy and Employment and Welfare Reform Minister Jim Murphy.

Beverley Hughes said: "I’m delighted to be launching National Sure Start Month at the unveiling of this wonderful painting. The Month gives us a chance to celebrate the hard work that goes in to giving young children across the country the best possible start in life and also to publicise Sure Start widely, including to any families who may not yet be aware of what Sure Start can offer them. We have made huge progress so far, but we must also use the month to focus on the challenges that remain.

"The world of early years is a very different place from what it was in 1997. Every 3 and 4 year old is now guaranteed a free early education place and there are well over 90% more registered childcare places. 848 Sure Start Children’s Centres are now offering high quality integrated services to over 662,000 young children and their families and by 2010 there will be 3,500 - one for every community."

"We know that many programmes are engaging successfully with the most vulnerable children and families, but we must now make sure that every Sure Start Children’s Centre and local programme is giving these families access to the support to which they are entitled. We must also concentrate on ensuring that childcare places are sustainable, and that they meet the needs of all parents, including those on low incomes, with disabled children, or unusual work patterns.

"I would like to thank the children for their amazing painting which celebrates all that is great about the early years, childcare and child carers. I would also like to thank the child carers for their help in assisting the children and for their sterling work the year round, and finally, the parents who have been so supportive of this project."

David Lammy said: "Libraries, museums, and galleries all over the country will come together during National Sure Start Month to provide settings for young children to play and enjoy themselves with their families. But I am keen to see this work continue throughout the year as I strongly believe that supporting creativity in the early years provides a cornerstone for successful lifelong learning. I hope that the events this month will help to build new partnerships as well as strengthening existing ones as the cultural sector has much to contribute to early years development."

Jim Murphy said: "I am really pleased to be involved in the launch of National Sure Start Month. Sure Start can help families transform their lives, boosting children’s development and supporting parents in finding childcare and getting a job.

"By giving every child, irrespective of background, the best start in life and helping their families break out of the cycle of poverty and benefits dependency, Sure Start is key to ensuring a more just society."

National Sure Start Month celebrates early years, childcare, health and family services that the Sure Start programme and other groups offer to children and families across England to give them the best possible start in life through increased choice and opportunity. It’s also one of the ways in which families can get to know about Sure Start in their area.

Throughout June thousands of local fun and open days will help parents to find out more about the support available to them on their doorsteps. Public libraries up and down the country are also involved in National Sure Start Month by providing support as part of their Families Love Libraries initiative.

Find out more about National Sure Start Month

 Back