Lowestoft
Lowestoft
Sure Start is based at Lowestoft. It's aim is to improve the well-being and life opportunities of young children through better health, childcare, play and education.
Sure Start also wants to help parents through provision of training courses to improve job opportunities.
What Sure Start has to offer you
Sure
Start runs free IT courses for parents at Lowestoft library learning centre.
A free crèche is provided for your children so you can relax and enjoy your
learning knowing that your children are in safe hands.
If
you are thinking of returning to work Job Skills courses are available.
Writing a CV, letter writing, career advice and work experience placements can
help you to find that job!
Certificated
courses are available in subjects such as, First Aid and Health & Hygiene.
Click on the Training link for more information
What Sure Start has to offer your children
Various activities are held for children and parents at Lowestoft Library. Including Surf Sundays, Baby Bounce, Tot Rock and Rhyme Time.
Why register for Sure Start
To make sure that your child has the best possible start in life by taking advantage of new services.
It will help us to let you know about the activities we are planning which might be of interest to you.
Your input into what is needed in the area is important to us and will help us to plan services.
We are a Government funded project so information about the numbers of parents and children using Sure Start funded activities will help the government plan for early years services for the future. It may also help to keep the funding going for the future.
A sure start for every child
As your child grows you may want him or her to spend time learning and playing in childcare and early education.
Did you know the Government offers:
free part-time early education for three and four year olds in England
more and better childcare in every neighbourhood
help paying for childcare for some families.
Take a look - your options could include:
A childminder - a self -employed child carer working in their own home. Registered and inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
A playgroup or pre-school - offering part or full-time care and trained staff. Registered by Ofsted.
A day nursery - usually open all day. Trained staff. Registered by Ofsted.
A nursery school or nursery class - open at variable times usually during school hours. Trained staff. Registered by Ofsted.
After school clubs and holiday play schemes - fit around school hours for school age children. Trained play workers. Registered by Ofsted.
Children's centres in some areas - offering all day childcare, early education, health & family support as well as advice and information for parents. Trained staff. Registered by Ofsted.
A nanny - someone you employ yourself to look after your child. Sometimes trained but not registered - so make sure you take up references.
A breast feeding support group - offers advice to new mums on breast feeding
Free part-time early education as your child grows
Early education should be fun for children - they will be learning and playing with friends and cared for by skilled staff.
all four year olds are entitled to free part-time early education in schools, playgroups or day nurseries.
from April 2004 all three year olds are entitled to free part-time early education too.
research shows children's development benefits from attending good quality early education and childcare services.
you can look for part-time early education for your child in a school nursery class, nursery school, day nursery, playgroup or pre-school, or with a childminder if they are part of an approved Childminder Network.
your child is entitled to early education for at least two and a half hours per day, 5 days per week, 33 weeks per year.
if you want your child to attend all day - for example, if you are working or studying - you may need to pay for the additional time.
get detailed advice on making the most of your child's entitlement to early education from your local Children's Information Service. Call 0800 096 02 96 to obtain their telephone number.
access to the Portage service which is a home visiting educational service for pre-school children who have developmental or learning difficulties, a physical disability or other special need.
Further information
Contact the Sure Start team at:
45 Milton Road East, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1NU
Telephone: 01502 574154
Find out about the web designers
Sure Start's New Building
Our new premises will open in November 2005 to find out more about the building and the services it will provide click here!
