What have we achieved?

	Created over 1,000 additional childcare places
	·£250K secured from NOF to develop out of school childcare places
	Established Childminding Network to support vulnerable children
	Successful bid to Welsh European Funding Office, providing £2.7 million, to develop the Genesis Project
	Successful application made to the WAG to build Welsh Medium Early Years Centre in Abercynon – funding approved for £600,000
	Planning underway to develop a further Integrated Centre at Rhydyfelin
	Further development of the Children’s Information Service
	Successful Childminder recruitment campaign undertaken
	Early Years Development officer employed
	Early Years Advisory Teacher employed via GEST funding
	Sure Start firmly established and two year independent monitoring and evaluation report completed. Very positive report
	Sure Start Co-ordinator appointed
	Audit of training needs completed of all staff, comprehensive training programme in place

What do our Service Users think?

“Ynyscynon Early Years Centre is a good school and has made considerable progress in improving curricular provision and standards of achievement…It owes its success to the high commitment of staff to improve standards.”
Mrs M E Evans, Estyn Inspector

“ Parents were given the knowledge to develop their confidence in working with their children. The staff were very supportive...”
Mrs L Edwards, Headteacher, Ynysboeth Infants School

“ Our son is 4 years old and has autism…He started at Sure Steps in Aberdare a year ago and in that time we have seen an enormous change in our son…he is an extremely happy and contented boy…We are so grateful to the staff for all of their hard work. Their advice & support, together with their enthusiasm and dedication has given us hope for the future.”
Parent using Sure Start Services