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Building for Sure StartA review of Sure Start's booklet on Integrated provision for under-fives
Jointly produced with CABE, Building for Sure Start is aimed at anyone involved in, managing or leading a Sure Start capital project, including Integrated Children’s Centres and Neighbourhood Nurseries. Even though it was written for Sure Start, it can be very useful for anyone involved in new buildings for the under fives. The booklet comes in two parts, a Client Guide and a Design Guide. The Client Guide is very well written, detailing many parts of the process of setting up new provision, including:
The guide contains a useful list of questions to ask yourself, so nothing vital is forgotten, as well as a list of ‘watch points’ to prevent wasted time and money. At the back is a detailed glossary to explain the terms used in the book, as well as a list of other resources that will help you with your project. The Design Guide is a more in-depth look at the aspects of quality design, including:
At the back is a fascinating set of seven case studies, detailing costs, design, and what services the centre provides. The last case study covers the outdoor area of the Bridgwater College Early Years Centre in Somerset. All of the studies cover centres that have bought their equipment from Community Playthings. Photos of the beautiful centres can be seen throughout the booklets. The booklet is well worth getting, and is available from Sure Start, and you can request a copy here. To learn more about room layout, read Spaces: Room Layout for Early Childhood Education. If you work with younger children, Birth to Threes - A guide to room layout and equipment choice may be the right thing for you. Sure Start is the Government's programme to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support. CABE is the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment - inspiring people to demand more from their buildings and spaces.
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