Part of a Government initiative, the Sure Start children and parents support centres are to open in St Ives, Eynesbury, Eaton Socon, Godmanchester, Ramsey, Cambourne and Papworth.

Phase two of a Government scheme to deliver the best start in life for all children, the centres are already operating a reduced service and should be running to full capacity within the next two years.
The first phase of the Sure Start programme saw 2,500 centres set up in inner-city and deprived areas – as part of this, Huntingdon Town Children's Centre has successfully been running from Huntingdon Nursery School, on Ambury Road, Oxmoor, for almost two years.

Cambridgeshire County Council education officer Sian Phillip has been co-ordinating the opening of 27 centres in the county. She said: "Even though we are still in the early stages of this programme, the county council is very supportive of its aims and believes that children's centres will make a very positive contribution to the lives of young children and their families, providing joined-up services at an early stage when a real difference can be made."

Four of the Huntingdonshire centres are already in their permanent homes, with Godmanchester Children's Centre at Godmanchester Primary School, the Ramsey centre on Stocking Fen Road, St Ives centre is based at Wheatfields Primary School and Cambourne is at Sackville House.
The two St Neots and the Papworth children's centres are still awaiting the completion of their buildings, which are expected to be open by autumn this year.

Business support assistant for Papworth Everard Rachel Rees held a naming competition for their centre, to be called The Daisy Children's Centre.
She said: "It will be a general place for families and carers of children under five to come and have any support needed. By 2010 all communities will have access to a children's centre. Some will be bigger than others but it depends where they are and the need of the local community."

>> Contacts: Eaton Socon and Eynesbury, Nicky Munro 01480 375533; Papworth and Elsworth, Kath Doyle 01480 831423; Godmanchester, Janet Woollard 01480 375116; Ramsey, Julie Butcher 01487 814812; St Ives, Fran Macklin 07776 494100; Cambourne, Kath Doyle 01954 283313.