Sure Start is a Government initiative to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities by:
To find out more about the delivery on a national level, please visit the Sure Start website in 'Related Links' on the right hand side of the page.
Whether you are in need of childcare for your family, want to provide childcare or need information and guidance as an early years/childcare professional and provider, Stockport Sure Start can help you.
Stockport Sure Start provides an extensive range of services relating to childcare, early years and play. Please see the links below and 'Related Contacts' and 'Related Links' on the right of the page to find out more.
Continuous Professional Development
Information about Continuous Professional Development for providers of care/education for children aged 0-5 years.
Extended Schools
Schools located at the heart of the community are well placed to take up the challenge of making Every Child Matters (ECM) a reality for children, young people and communities.
Family Support
If you are a parent or carer experiencing problems at home and feel that you would benefit from family support, aimed at providing advice and help to parents in bringing up their children, then please contact us.
Information about Childcare in Stockport
Family info Link can provide you with information on a wide variety of topics relating to family life. They hold details of local registered childminders, nurseries, pre-schools, out of school clubs and leisure activities such as parent and toddler groups.
Information about Childcare, Schools and Local Services in Your Area
Information about Childcare, Schools and Local Services in Your Area. These areas are split into Brinnington, Cheadle, Hazel Grove & Bramhall, Heatons, Marple & Werneth and Stockport Central.
Information for Holiday and Afterschool Play Providers for Children aged four years and over
Do you wish to become a childcare provider, add to or extend the childcare you manage?
Information for New or Existing Childminders
Do you wish to become a Childminder? Are you a Childminder who needs advice, information or support?
Nursery Admissions
Please view the Nursery Booklet (Free Early Education & Childcare for Three and Four Year Olds) to find out more information about free nursery education for three and four year olds, how and when to apply, and details of the nurseries and pre-schools in Stockport.
Ofsted
If you work as a childminder, or provide day care for children under 8 years old for more than two hours each day you must register with Ofsted and be inspected regularly. Nursery education settings which are on their local authority's directory to provide free places for three to four year olds must also be inspected regularly by Ofsted.
Play Development Team
The Play Development Team works with partners throughout Stockport to develop local play provision and deliver play opportunities that are accessible and inclusive for children in Stockport.
Portage Service
It is recognised that the most effective way of helping young children is to reinforce their parents’ confidence in their own abilities. Portage recognises and respects the pre-eminent role of parents in their children’s care and development; understands the need to provide psycho-social support for parents in a holistic sense. Information includes areas visited, autism provision, childminders' links, early years settings & training opportunities.
Stockports Childcare Sufficiency Assessment
Information about Stockport's Action Plan Childcare folowing the Sufficiency Assessment undertaken in April 2008.
Sure Start Training
Sure Start will fund anyone working in registered childcare to upgrade their existing qualification to the next level or to achieve Assessor and Verifier qualifications (subject to conditions).