Child Care Agencies to Bid for £5,000,000 Contract

10.57.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Oct 2007

A £5.3 million contract is being offered to child care agencies to run Milton Keynes' growing network of children's centres.

The Council is inviting bids to run the eight children's centres that are currently open and a further four that are still to be opened in the city. Sure Start Children's Centres are a key part of the Government's agenda to end child poverty by 2020.

The centres provide integrated services in one location for children and families by giving access to:

• family support and parental outreach

• child and family health services

• training and job advice

• links with schools

• the Children and Families Information Service.

Liberal Democrat councillor Sandra Clark, cabinet member responsible for children's services, said: "Children's centres are a way we can provide support to parents on their doorsteps.

"We believe that offering specialist agencies the chance to run these centres will enhance the excellent service the centres already provide to families."

There are children's centres at:

• Beanhill (Moorlands)

• Bletchley (The Art Room and Saplings)

• Bradville (Rainbow)

• Conniburrow

• Fishermead (Pebbles)

• Fullers Slade (The Rowans)

• Woughton.

Further centres are being developed at New Bradwell, Stantonbury, West Bletchley and on the City's West flank.