[jedimaster]

have'nt had much to do with sure start up here but when we were living in bath we joined the surestart scheme
i must admit the only thing we used was a local creche/playgroup set up by them but i have to say we were very impressed.
sessions were limited per child so as to accommodate more children
the staff were excellent and it gave sam a few hours of well earned rest during the early toddler years while i was working all the hours god sent

i also know that bath surestart helped to provide much needed equipment for local schools nurseries and also help for parents in the local area.

maybe this was just a one off case as i say i haven't had any dealings with them up here so i don't know what the situation is.