This paper outlines what is involved in Sure Start, one of New Labour's key social policy interventions. It is argued that there are policy continuities with older redemptive policies which focus on young children. It is also argued that Sure Start could provide a bridgehead for a more socially democratic orientation into early childhood policy.

This paper considers the concept of the "one-stop shop" in relation to the provision of family services, whereby the family can access a range of support services made available in one location. The paper examines how the concept fits within the context of mainstream service provision in Great Britain today, specifically how the Coram…

A central component of the Children Act 1989 in Great Britain is sponsored care, the purchase by local authorities of places for individual children in voluntary and private day care facilities. The book details a study examining how private and voluntary day care services such as childminders, preschools, and day nurseries are used by local…