About Sure Start

Sure Start is a Government programme, which aims to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities by: increasing the availability of childcare for all children.

mproving health, education and emotional development for young children.

Supporting parents as parents and in their aspirations towards employment.

Sure Start covers children from conception through to age 14, and up to age 16 for those with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as parents and communities across the country.

Sure Start services bring together universal, free, early education and more and better childcare, with greater support where there is greater need through children’s tax credit, children’s centres and Sure Start local programmes.