Common Questions

If you have any other questions, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit the Contact Us page or call our freephone number 0800 073 0698

1. Why should we be interested in Sure Start?
Sure Start South Tyneside is about seeking the views of local parents and communities.  We completed initial consultations within each Sure Start programme area and aim to continue the communication to improve our services now that we are Children's Centres.

2. What is Sure Start?
Sure Start is a Government project that aims to improve the health and well being of families and their children (before and from birth), so that children can flourish at home and when they start school.

It enables parents, children and the community to create an emotionally secure and protective environment for their children to grow and develop to their maximum potential during the early years of life.

3. How do we do this?
As well as community consultation, we will be working closely with other agencies to provide a continuous service to families.  These agencies include community groups, Local Authority representatives, Jobcentre Plus, Health Authority representatives and community clinics.

4.  What are Childrens Centres?
Children's Centres will bring together locally available services and integrate management and staffing structures.  Children's Centres will offer access to the following core services :

*  Early education integrated with childcare
*  Family support and outreach to parents
*  Child and family health services

In addition the Centres will be :

*  a base for childminder networks
*  a link to local training and education providers
*  a link to Jobcentre Plus and
*  a link to the local Childrens Information Service


5. How are the Centres managed?
Each Children's Centre has a Centre Manager, who in turn report to a collective Management Board.  Meetings are held regularly each month and are attended by approximately 31 members from the agencies listed above and include parent partners.

6. What does Sure Start offer local communities?
A range of community based professionals work in partnership with Sure Start including Speech and Language Therapy, a Dietician, Midwives, a Special Education Needs Teacher and Health Visitors.

Services available include toy libraries, community food projects, health care and advice, quality play, learning and childcare facilities, training towards employment for parents and simply meeting other families.

7. Am I in a Sure Start area?
Sure Start Children's Centres operate across South Tyneside and the Centres are open to all children and their families.  PLEASE NOTE you no longer need to use the Postcode Finder on this website to access Sure Start services, simply call Freephone 0800 073 0698 to find out which Centre is nearest you.

8. What are Neighbourhood Nurseries?

In Spring 2004 the Sure Start initiative opened seven Neighbourhood Nurseries in South Tyneside.  The nurseries offer quality assured inclusive daycare for children from 6 weeks old to 5 years (8am - 6pm).  Nursery places are accessible and affordable for the whole community and priority is given to children from the local area.  Employment and training opportunities have been created for parents, carers and professionals alike, with nursery provision available to meet the needs of working parents and those entering training.  More information is available on the link below.
www.surestart.gov.uk

See our 'Home' page for nursery contact information.

For a copy of our nursery Pricing Policy Click here


9.  What is a Childrens Trust?

A Children's Trust is a way of working that builds front line services, processes, strategies, partnerships and a shared vision around the delivery of improved outcomes for all children and young people.  For more information, visit South Tyneside Children and Young Peoples Alliance website :

www.stct.org.uk 


10.  Is my child entitled to free nursery education?

All three and four year olds are entitled to a free nursery place (beginning the term after their third birthday) for 6 school terms before they reach statutory school age (term following their fifth birthday).

There are enough places in South Tyneside for every three year old to access a nursery place, although parents should be aware that it might not be in the setting of their choice.

Your child will be entitled to five sessions of two and a half hours per week for a minimum of 38 weeks per year, by arrangement.

For more information speak to your nursery provider or contact South Tyneside Children's Information Service on Freephone 0800 783 4645.