Earlier this month, Busy Bees were invited to a special event at 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister, in recognition of our support for the Government’s Sure Start Children’s Centres Programme.

The programme aims to give every child the best start in life by offering free early education for all three and four year olds, as well as affordable, quality childcare and after-school activities in every area. The centres also provide health and family support, particularly in disadvantaged areas where they are most needed.

Busy Bees have been involved with Sure Start since it was set up in 2006 and have childcare settings in 3 of the Sure Start Children’s Centres, all of which offer funding for children aged 2–5 years within disadvantaged areas, including Sneinton and Milford in Nottingham, and Canterbury.

The day at Downing Street marked the opening of the 3000th Children’s Centre in the UK and was attended by approximately 150 guests, all involved in the success of the Centres including the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA), as well as the Busy Bees Group.  Gordon Brown, Ed Balls (Secretary of State for Education) and Beverley Hughes (Children and Families Minister) each gave a speech about the success of the centres and how they have improved the futures of many children. Gordon Brown personally thanked our representative, Karen Mackay, for the group’s involvement and development of the Children’s Centres. 

Karen Mackay, who is in charge of external affairs for Busy Bees, said: “Sure Start has been a great success, and is well on its way to reaching the target of opening 3,500 children’s Centres by 2010. The day was a fantastic celebration of a great achievement, of which Busy Bees has been proud to play a part.”