“I left school at 16, pregnant, with no qualifications. Some may argue I was not a great role model for today’s young people. The direction of my life was set but something happened. Labour’s Sure Start centres gave me and my friends, and our children, the help and support we needed to grow and develop. … More A Strong Team in place: time to take the fight to the Tories
LFoSS volunteer Aisha Afzali reports: On the 12th of July 2016 Parliament held a debate concerning ‘Early Years Development and School Readiness’. It was interesting to witness various perceptions and ideas on the matter. Whilst this matter is quite complex to summarise I would personally split this debate into three parts; initiatives, outcomes and reflections.
Remember when the Government tried to sneak out some inconvenient Sure Start research over Christmas? We do. And we’ve been going through it with a fine-tooth comb ever since. As we suspected at the time, it categorically restates the power of Sure Start, it establishes that generous funding is essential for high quality services and it destroys the myth … More We won’t let the Government forget this research
On the 18th of April, a packed room and an excellent panel sat together to discuss innovative ways we can keep Sure Start children centres alive during these harsh austerity measures, and launch a “There is always an alternative” which would serve as a call to action.
We are delighted to launch our brand new pamphlet: There is always an alternative Labour Councils are the frontline in protecting Sure Start. This pamphlet shows that Labour Councils have closed fewer Children’s Centres than Conservative Councils. It also shows that Centres in Labour areas are more likely to be rated Good or Outstanding by … More There is always an alternative
Labour Councillors are the frontline in protecting Sure Start from brutal Government cuts. LFoSS’ new pamphlet highlights the excellent work of Labour Councils across the country and starts a debate on how to protect Sure Start services in the hard years ahead. Please join us for an evening of discussion at the pamphlet launch: 7pm … More New Pamphlet launch
Finally all our pestering has paid off! At last the Government have relented and announced a timescale for their long-delayed consultation on the future of Children’s Centres. It’ll now be in Summer 2016 – exactly a year after it was first announced. Still: better late than never. Worryingly, rather than the inclusive, stand alone consultation we … More Hallejuah!
Oh dear. The Government has been caught red-handed trying to hide politically embarrassing new research on the impact of Sure Start. Politically embarrassing because this same Government has halved Sure Start funding and is constantly talking the programme down. Awkwardly the new Oxford University research proves once again that Sure Start provides a truly transformative service for … More Sure Start works. Government policy doesn’t.
Remember July? Sunshine. Summer holidays approaching. And a surprisingly encouraging comment from Tory Childcare Minister, Sam Gyimah: “There is one particular issue that is a priority for me – the future of Children’s Centres.” Really, Minister? Us too!
Still no sign of that consultation on the future of Children’s Centres. It’s a ghost consultation especially for Halloween. Take a look at our Director, Michael Pavey’s blog for the Huffington Post.
Labour Friends of Sure Start 