Keetch visits Nursery to mark National Sure Start Month

9.12.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd Jul 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP, Paul Keetch visited ABC Nursery, in Hereford to mark the end of National Sure Start Month.

Events during the month were aimed at helping parents to find out more about support available on their doorstep in terms of childcare, early years education, health and family support.

Registered childminders, playgroups, day nurseries, Sure Start children's centres parent advisors, heath workers, local authorities and staff from Job Centre Plus all worked together to let parents know about the services available to them.

"Sure Start month has given the opportunity to celebrate all the hard work that goes into giving children the best possible start in life, and also to publicise Sure Start to those who may not be aware of the benefits it can provide.

"I was pleased to see first hand the real difference that Sure Start is making to families in Herefordshire. Meeting parents of the children at the nursery together with the professionals who help support them illustrated to me what an essential service they provide to our local community."