This speech comes at a critical moment for early years policy in England. There is now a solid evidence base showing that high-quality formal childcare and other early interventions can have long-lasting impacts on educational and health outcomes. However, cognitive, social and emotional outcomes between infants from different socio-economic backgrounds today remain stubbornly wide, impeding poverty reduction and social mobility. In fact, evidence suggests that this gap may have widened since and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The evidence on the impacts of Sure Start, introduced by the New Labour Government, on both children and adults is now very positive, especially as the scheme evolved. However, the Coalition Government removed the ringfence on and reduced funding for Children’s Centres, leading to a significant fall in their numbers nationwide. This was a mistake. So the Conservative Government gradually re-introduced Sure Start, renaming and refocussing it through Family Hubs. Now this Labour Government has committed to introducing Family Hubs in every local authority.
But can we be more ambitious, reimagining Sure Start again? In this keynote speech, the Minister will set out the Government’s vision for building world-class early years support via Sure Start.
We would be delighted if you could join us for this important discussion on the future of early years support.
