Policy Press

Providing a Sure Start

How government discovered early childhood

By Naomi Eisenstadt

Published

Sep 28, 2011

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1847427298

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Sep 28, 2011

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1847427304

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Sep 28, 2011

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1447306108

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Sep 28, 2011

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1447306115

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Providing a Sure Start

This book tells the story of Sure Start, one of the flagship programmes of the last government. It tells how Sure Start was set up, the numerous changes it went through, and how it has changed the landscape of services for all young children in England. Offering insight into the key debates on services for young children, as well as how decisions are made in a highly political context, it will be of keen interest to policy academics, senior managers of public services and all those with a keen interest in developing services for young children.

"[Eisenstadt's] account of Sure Start is well-informed, clear and comprehensive, but also lively, engaging and deeply insightful." Jane Waldfogel, Journal of Children's Services, Vol 7 No 2 2012.

"[Eisenstadt's] account of Sure Start is well-informed, clear and comprehensive, but also lively, engaging and deeply insightful." Jane Waldfogel, Journal of Children's Services, Vol 7 No 2 2012.

"This book will provide a fascinating read for scholars of politics, social policy and for all those involved with providing services for young children and their families." Jacqueline Barnes, Journal of Social Policy

"This candid and topical discussion from a Sure Start insider provides clear lessons for policymakers and the wider children's policy agenda." Polly Toynbee, Guardian

"A rare achievement, this book gives both a personal story and an excellent description of the policy making process. Eisenstadt eloquently describes the tensions and pressures, as well as the achievements, in providing new services for young children and families." Kathy Sylva, Professor of Educational Psychology University of Oxford

Naomi Eisenstadt is a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford. She is a retired civil servant who ran the Sure Start Unit for its first seven years. She has extensive experience, both working directly with children and families and at the most senior levels in Government. Her last post before retirement was Director of the Social Exclusion Task Force in the Cabinet Office.

Introduction; Setting the scene for change; A star is born, the birth of Sure Start; What happened next; Stroppy adolescence and then marriage; Sure Start grows up: mainstreaming or death; What have we learned, what have we achieved?