Children getting the best start says Flint

2 April 2004

"There has never been a better time to be child growing up in Doncaster," said children's campaigner Caroline Flint, in the week that every 3 and 4 year old child became entitled to free part-time nursery education.

"The Labour Government is determined to give every child the very best start in life, a vision I know is shared by Mayor Winter. Doncaster has an excellent record providing half day sessions for every three and four year olds ahead of schedule."

Doncaster now provides over 2,700 early education places for three and four year olds. Nine out of ten parents take up the offer of a place.

Ms Flint praised the Government for confirming the £1.6million extra funding for the Sure Start Centre in Denaby Main. "It was great that Denaby was one of the first Sure Start's in the country, but this extended funding is a real vote of confidence in this excellent project. Sure Start offers brilliant support for families with young children and now it can go from strength to strength."

"This entitlement to pre-school education and the boost to Sure Start comes just after the Government has delivered the first Sure Start Centres for families with young children, and the Budget confirmed the new Child Trust Fund to provide an endowment for every new-born child."

"Nearly 10,000 families in my constituency were benefiting from the new tax credits by January 2004. Financial support for families with children has increased by 72% since 1997 and here in Doncaster we have a record 4,500 childcare places."