Children's minister Margaret Hodge is fond of reeling off statistics that show the impact of local Sure Start programmes on a wide range of welfare indicators from breast-feeding to library attendance.
But it's not just the political big-wigs that are singing Sure Start's praises. Speak to anyone involved in the initiative, including staff and service users, and they are full of enthusiasm.
In short, it is widely acknowledged that Sure Start is a success. However, there is growing concern that the things that make Sure Start work may be lost in the Government's drive towards a children's centre in every community.
Diminishing strength
Norman Glass, one of the architects of Sure Start and chief executive of the National Centre for Social Research, says this will diminish the programme's strengths - its community-led approach and focus on child development as opposed to childcare.
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