* Work has started on a new children's centre in North End in the London Borough of Bexley. The centre, which is due to open in the autumn, will provide a 70-place day nursery, play area, training facilities and meeting rooms.
* More than 400 local families gathered in Nelson, east Lancashire, on 17 July to celebrate the opening of the new 1m Sure Start Bradley and Whitefield Children's Centre. The centre has been transformed from a Victorian church school room into a community facility that houses a 40-place neighbourhood nursery, chapel and community room for the local parish. The centre has been funded by the Sure Start Unit, Lancashire County Council's Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative and the local church.
Bradley and Whitefield Children's Centre is the first of five to open in Lancashire.
* Trafford Council has opened its first children's centre in Partington, Greater Manchester. The centre builds on existing services provided by Sure Start Partington and Carrington and offers early education integrated with full-day care. There will also be specific support for children with special educational needs, family support, health services and a base for local childminders.
* Work is almost complete on the 1st Place Children and Parents' Centre in Burgess Park, Southwark, London. The centre will open in the autumn to provide daycare for children up to five years old. It will also run workshops and training sessions for local families. 1st Place has been inspired by the Italian Reggio Emilia approach and has been designated one of the first Green Start Centres in London.
* Plans for a new children's centre in West Hendon in the London Borough of Barnet went on display at Parkfield School during National Sure Start Month. The centre will be built on the school site and is due to open in March 2006. It will be jointly run by Parkfield School, Barnet Sure Start and the council's Lakeview Children and Family Centre.
* Construction is well under way at Leominster Children's Centre in Herefordshire. Work started in January and the centre is due to open in 2006. The centre will offer health and family support services, outreach groups for parents, a childminding hub and full-day care.
* A pioneering service dedicated to developing s200 play and toddler groups.
