Saol Úr Sure Start offers support and services to parents and children from pregnancy to age 4, in order to give young children under four in our area the best possible start in life.

We aim to promote the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of pre-school children to ensure they can flourish at home and when they get to school.

Sure Start services are provided through a holistic approach, bringing health, education and parenting support services together in a coordinated way. It is designed and delivered at a local level through a network of local statutory agencies and community-based voluntary organisations working in the fields of health, early education and family/parenting support.

• Antenatal and postnatal support and programmes – including an antenatal group and the Baby Grows group
• Meeting the needs of fathers and other key men in the lives of local children – including Saturday play sessions
• Supporting parent and child interaction and play
• Information about child development and parenting skills
• Programmes for parents including Cook It, Weigh to Health, Managing Children’s Behaviour, Zumba, Walking Group, Crafts.
• Sessions for parents & children to enjoy together, including RhymeTime, Story Time, Swim-a-Song, Active Bears and Tots of Fun
• Good quality play, learning and child care experiences for children, both group and home based. This includes crèche support for parent programmes.
• Support from the Sure Start midwife
• Support from the Sure Start Speech & Language Therapist
• Fun Days and Parties for Sure Start families
• Trips & Outings
• Living in The North programme for those newly arrived from other countries
• Supporting parents to achieve goals they have set for themselves

All Sure Start projects now provide a developmental programme for two to three year olds which aims to enhance social and emotional development, build on communication and language skills and encourage imagination through play.

This can help some children to be prepared for starting pre-school education. The Programme is not intended to be a universal service for all children in the year before starting pre-school education but is aimed primarily at Sure Start children who are likely to benefit most from this support.

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/SaolUrSureStart
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/SaolUrSureStart

Q: Am I eligible to join?
A: If you can answer yes to these two questions, then yes, you can join:

1. Do you live in the Sure Start area? (Upper Springfield, Whiterock, Falls Park wards)
2. Are you pregnant OR do you have a child aged 0-4?

Q: How do I join?
A: By phone, in person, or via social media. Here are the details:

• By phone: Call us on 028 9032 4870
• In person: Call into our offices at the Upper Springfield Development Trust building (photo) 689 Upper Springfield Road BT 12 7FP (link to map).
• Social media: Message us via facebook or twitter.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: All Saol Úr Sure Start services are free.

Q: Is Sure Start for families on benefits?
A: Sure Start is for ALL local families, regardless of income, benefits or job status.

Q: Is Sure Start just for families with problems?
A: No, Sure Start is for all local families.

Q: How can I find out what’s on?
A: Via our facebook and twitter pages, or sign up to receive our newsletter.

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• nidirect.gov.uk/sure-start-services
• facebook.com/UpperSpringfieldWhiterockIntegratedPartnership