Children's centres are narrowing the equality gap - new report » Central Government » 24dash.com

Council education chiefs have welcomed evidence that an ambitious programme to improve the life chances of children from Wigan’s deprived areas is having a real impact.

A report by University of London academics says the government’s Sure Start programme is helping to tackle the gap between affluent and poorer communities.

Sure Start was launched in 1999 to support parents in poorer communities and overcome the disadvantages their babies experience from birth.

In Wigan borough there are currently 18 children’s centres with further centres planned for Standish/ Aspull and Lowton. They bring together childcare, early education, health and family support services for families with children under 5 years old.

Now the new report, by researchers from Birkbeck University of London, has compared 6,000 three-year-olds on Sure Start local programmes across the UK with 2,000 children of the same age and similar background who were not getting help.

It found that in five key areas, the Sure Start children were doing better than the others.

Cllr Susan Loudon, Wigan Council’s cabinet champion for children’s and young people’s services, said: “I’m delighted that the substantial investment by the government and the council in Sure Start centres across the borough appears to be paying off.

“We always believed it would - but it is nice to have independent evidence that it is possible to narrow the gap between children in deprived and more affluent areas.”

Over 5,500 families across the borough are currently registered with Sure Start, and new families are registering at an average of 160 every month.
The London University report found that children attending Sure Start centres had more positive social behaviour and greater independence.

Parents were more likely to read to their children, encourage them to paint or draw and generally encourage learning at home. The families were more likely to access health, welfare and educational support services.

Cllr Loudon added: "We believe that everyone no matter where they are born or live and whatever their background should have the best chance to flourish at home and when they get to school.

“That’s why we will continue to support Sue Start children’s centres across the borough. They have been a real success story.”