Developing the best services for children and families will be the theme of two major regional conferences in May, which will build on the Government's pledge to establish children's centres in every one of the 20% most disadvantaged wards in the country.

The "Growing Children's Centres" conferences will be held in Leeds and London, and are organised by Daycare Trust and the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO).

The conferences aim to:

• Disseminate the latest national policy agenda for the development of children's centres – guidance on setting up children's centres was issued to local authorities in February
• Present an overview on the integration of childcare, early years education, health and family support services
• Build on current provision to highlight key practice issues in the further development of children's and family services
• Raise the voices of mothers and fathers to ensure that the needs of all families are met

The Leeds conference on 13th May 2003 will be chaired by Stephen Burke, Director of Daycare Trust, and speakers include:

• Naomi Eisenstadt, Director of the Sure Start Unit
• Eva Lloyd, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol
• Professor Peter Moss, Thomas Coram Research Institute
• Russell Norman, Howgill Family Centre, Cumbria

The London conference on 20th May 2003 will be chaired by Erica De'Ath OBE, Chief Executive of NCVCCO, and speakers include:

• Baroness Cathy Ashton, Minister for Sure Start
• Trevor Chandler, Pen Green Family Centre
• Gillian Pugh, Chief Executive, Coram Family
• Christine Stones, Consultant

There will also be workshop sessions during the afternoon focusing on developing different aspects of children's services.

The Government has pledged to establish a children's centre in every one of the 20% most disadvantaged wards. These centres will bring together good quality childcare with early years education, family support and health services.  They will also act as service hubs within the community for parents and providers of childcare for children of all ages.

Download the conference programmes:

• Leeds : 13th May 2003
• London : 20th May 2003