Nursery World - Rise in vulnerable families using children's centres

Despite a record number of disadvantaged families using children's centres, uncertainty over their future remains,new research shows.

According to 4Children's fourth annual Children's Centre census, 335,000 vulnerable families are using their local children's centre, up from 320,000 in 2013.

The figures are based on responses from 421 managers representing 879 children’s centres in England.

However, comparing figures with last year's Children's Centre Census 2013, the total number of families using children's centres has fallen from 1,090,000 in 2013, to 1,050,000 in 2014 - a drop of 3.66 per cent.

Despite an increase in demand for services from disadvantaged families, 57 per cent of children's centres in the survey expect their budget to fall next year, leaving them with reduced resources.

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