Childcarers line up for Sure Start celebration
Liz Fox
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
The fourth National Sure Start Month kicks off this week on 2 June. This year's theme is 'Your Children, Your Choice' and it is being co-ordinated by the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA). Celebrations will begin with an official launch party at London Zoo for families and early years and childcare workers. Thousands of local events will then take place across England. Last year more than 700,000 parents took part in over 5,000 events.
Celebrations will begin with an official launch party at London Zoo for families and early years and childcare workers. Thousands of local events will then take place across England. Last year more than 700,000 parents took part in over 5,000 events.
Key dates of the month are:
* 6-12 June: Daycare Trust's National Childcare Week. The Trust is running three competitions to 'Make childcare everybody's business' - the Childcare Champions Awards, the Parents' Employer of Choice Award and a children's photo competition in association with Nursery World.
* 18-25 June: Pre-school Playweek. PLA members will run Teddy Bear Toddles to raise money for the Pre-school Child Appeal.
* 18-25 June: National Childminding Association members will 'make chatter matter' with a series of Chatterbox Challenges in association with I CAN, the charity for children with speech and language difficulties.
* 27 June-3 July: 4Children's week will 'Shout Out for Children' with the announcement of the 2005 Childcare Stars awards, recognising some of the most dedicated, inspiring and deserving childcarers in the UK.
* Throughout June: A series of 'Big Breakfasts' hosted by members of the National Day Nurseries Association to highlight healthy eating.
More details and local events can be found on www.nationalsurestartmonth.com. A small number of events are also taking place in Scotland and Wales.
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