Nursery World - One for all

The Government is to throw an extra 100m at children's centres but, says Sue Finch, it won't be enough for an integrated service The Chancellor surprised everyone when he announced, in his spending review speech last month, that an extra 100m would be made available to create not 1,700 but 2,500 children's centres by 2008. This massive increase of 800 extra centres will still mean only one centre in each of England's 30 per cent most deprived wards.

The Chancellor surprised everyone when he announced, in his spending review speech last month, that an extra 100m would be made available to create not 1,700 but 2,500 children's centres by 2008. This massive increase of 800 extra centres will still mean only one centre in each of England's 30 per cent most deprived wards.

A children's centre in every community for children from birth to teens and their families, providing a comprehensive and joined-up approach throughout childhood, is a vision that many Nursery World readers share.

These integrated centres will be a focus for all families with children from birth up to 16 years in the local community. They will be bright and accessible places where children of all ages can take part in a wide range of activities - and where children and families can gain information, advice and support. In many cases, the children's centres may be based around a school, depending on the facilities that exist locally.

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