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Early years experts spark debate about future of children's centres

Early years experts and organisations are calling for a national debate on how children’s centres provide vital support for children and families.

As part of this, the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has launched a survey for practitioners, families and those in the sector to share their views on what they value most about children’s centres and what their future purpose should be.

Findings from the survey, which closes on 10 January 2014, will be used to inform NCB’s future policy activity on children’s centres.

It comes as local authorities across the country are closing or preparing to close children’s centres or significantly reduce their services.

In May, the education and childcare minister Elizabeth Truss revealed that at the end of April 2013, there were 3,116 Sure Start children’s centres in England. The same information, provided by local authorities, showed that more than 400 centres closed between April 2010 and 2013.

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