Sure Start Evaluation: A Babyzone Perspective

Privileged to Be Part of the Conversation

Babyzone was privileged to be invited to attend the Institute for Fiscal Studies event to mark the launch of the report. This timely and thought-provoking gathering brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore how evidence can shape the next generation of early years support. Hearing firsthand from experts and engaging in rich discussions reaffirmed the value of services like Babyzone that champion community-led, integrated models of care.

It was heartening to see Babyzone’s ethos reflected in national conversations, and we look forward to building on these insights as we shape our future work.

Key Findings from the Sure Start Evaluation

The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ final report on Sure Start reveals impressive long-term benefits across multiple dimensions of child development. As Dr. Nick aptly noted, Sure Start wasn’t a “silver bullet,” but it delivered significant positive effects that persisted into adolescence—particularly in educational outcomes, health, and social development.

The programme’s “superpower” lay in its recognition that child development is not one-dimensional. Instead, it requires a holistic, integrated approach, combining:

• Early learning opportunities
• Parental support
• Health services
• Employment assistance

Bringing these services together under one roof ensured accessibility and maximized impact.

Lessons for Babyzone

From Babyzone’s perspective, several key takeaways emerge:

1. Integration is Essential

Sure Start’s success hinged on its integrated service model. Babyzone partners with 240+ NHS, local

authority and local partner organisations to ensure families can access the services they need, all in one place. Babyzone should continue prioritising co-located and connected services, ensuring families can access holistic support with ease.

2. Community Engagement Matters

The evaluation underscored the value of involving communities in designing and delivering services. Babyzone is already strong in this area - many team members and volunteers are local parents who first came to Babyzone

as service users. This fosters trust and increases reach, particularly among the most disadvantaged families.

3. A Long-Term Vision is Crucial

Early years initiatives need time to yield measurable impact. Babyzone must continue advocating for sustained, long-term funding, resisting the pressure to prove results within short-term project cycles.

4. Evidence-Based Practice

Sure Start highlights the importance of early and ongoing evaluation. Babyzone balances qualitative with

quantitative data when evaluating programme effectiveness. Babyzone captures powerful stories of meaningful change alongside numerical metrics. Babyzone will continue to build on its data collection practices to robustly evaluate impact, enabling continuous improvement and stronger advocacy.

5. Focus on Disadvantaged Families

The Sure Start programme had especially strong outcomes for children from the

most deprived backgrounds. Babyzone’s targeted outreach strategy - focusing on the 30% most deprived families - through community outreach, partnerships, and word-of-mouth positions us to replicate these gains.

Moving Forward

As we look to the future of early childhood services, the Sure Start evaluation offers both inspiration and practical guidance. The findings make a compelling case for realistic expectations, patient investment, and unwavering commitment.

Integrated early years services like Babyzone don't just transform lives—they generate powerful social and economic returns. Now is the time to deepen our approach, amplify our impact, and shape a legacy that lasts.