One member of the Commons' Education and Skills Select Committeesuggested children's centres were "ludicrously cheap", while anothersuggested that they should be required to follow strict Governmentguidelines.
The minister was called to appear before the committee last week for aone-off evidence session on children's services. Her appearance camedays after a leading children's centre provider threatened to hand backthe keys to 50 centres (Children Now, 22-28 November).
Various members of the committee focused their questions on the rolloutof the programme. Liberal Democrat MP and committee member Paul Holmessaid: "The expansion from 700 Sure Start centres to 3,500 children'scentres is very welcome. But the money that's been made available meansthat each of the 2,800 new centres is being funded at about 40 per centof the level used to set up the original Sure Start centres. Does thatmean the Sure Start centres were ludicrously expensive or that the newchildren's centres are ludicrously cheap?"
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
