Children's minister Beverly Hughes outlined new plans as she confirmed that there were now 1,000 children's centres 'up and running' ahead of the Government's target.
Other measures are a requirement for children's centres to run outreach programmes for new parents, and to evaluate their services to make sure they are accessible and meet the needs of the most disadvantaged families.
Ms Hughes acknowledged that more needed to be done to reach the poorest families.
'We know that some families don't feel comfortable walking through the door, even though they could use the help most,' she said. 'This doesn't mean Sure Start has failed or that it is just for the poorest, most excluded families, but it does mean that we must all work harder.'
Ms Hughes stressed the role of the voluntary and community sector.
'I have made clear my expectation that local authorities work with the voluntary and community sector to reach the most socially excluded families, and last month we announced plans to make better use of health visitors in doing this.'
The Government's social exclusion action plan includes setting up ten health-led parenting support demonstration projects from pre-birth to two, based at children's centres, with training for health visitors and midwives on supporting 'at-risk families' (News, 14 September).
In November, the DfES will publish planning and practice guidance for children's centres, which will include new requirements to reach the most disadvantaged groups.
