Compared with now, the landscape of early years provision used to be a desert. Still, some question Sure Start's impact on outcomes for children in the long term, unforgiving of the fact that it's still early days. Others, notably the Conservatives of late, complain that it is failing to meet its original purpose of reaching society's most disadvantaged families - an all-too-familiar but fair charge. But this must not mean it retreats to become a targeted service only for the most vulnerable. It must remain accessible to all.
The Shout Out for a Sure Start campaign, which CYP Now has signed up to support, comes at a crucial time (see p2). As the March 2010 completion target of 3,500 children's centres is reached, Sure Start services cannot be taken for granted. Public spending cuts are here and a general election is imminent.
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