The model will see five out of 17 centres allocated as designated hubs in different areas of the city, while the remaining buildings will offer services related to the five hubs.
This means there will be a reduction in inspections from Ofsted from 17 to five, which the council hopes will save money as a result of less preparation, self evaluation, improvement plans and annual conversations with the inspectorate.
The council plans to cut £1.7m from the children’s centre budget from April.
Sandra Mitchell, Sunderland’s head of early intervention, said: "This framework has been planned to ensure that families with children under-five in every community still have access to a centralised children's centre along with the other buildings within the community which help deliver the same services.
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