Current proposals from Hampshire County Council to cut costs are threatening Sure Start Centres in Aldershot and Farnborough.  These Centres provide early education and support to children aged 0 – 5 and their families.  They support children’s development and readiness for school as well as offering advice and support to parents on parenting skills, promoting healthy lifestyles, employment and training.  Currently these services are available to any family that wants them.  Hampshire are proposing the close 64 out of 75 centres, leaving only 11 across the county. In Rushmoor, 4 out of 5 centres will close, leaving only one – in Aldershot. 180 of the 300 staff will lose their jobs.

Sure Start Centres have a great record in giving children a good start and preventing problems for families later on.  The County Council’s proposal to limit access only to the most vulnerable families will result in stigmatising families who use them and the Centres will no longer be part of general provision in the community.

Let’s send a message to Hampshire County Council: We do not want our centres to close.  It’s a short-sighted policy which will lead to further problems down the line and  to the loss of skilled and dedicated pre-school and family support workers.