Alternative daycare: Sure Schildren’s Houses

Services in the Sure Start Children’s Houses are provided according to a methodology approved by the minister. The minister publishes the methodology on the ministry’s website and the Social Sector Portal, ensuring it is continually updated.

The Sure Start Children's House, in cooperation with the family and child welfare service and the family and child welfare centre, promotes the successful social integration of the child and the family.

The target group consists of disadvantaged families with children aged 0–5 years in disadvantaged regions, settlements, or neighbourhoods. Regular attendance qualifies if the child (aged 0-3 years) attends the Children’s House with their parent on at least 40% of the open days in a month. At least half of the children regularly using the services must receive regular child protection benefits, and at least half of these must also be disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged.

In service-deficient areas, the establishment of Children’s Houses aims to ensure minimum physical conditions and access to the necessary professionals.

The Children’s House must organise at least one group meeting per month with participation from family and child welfare services, kindergartens, other children’s institutions, and, if necessary, other members of the child protection signalling system. Collaboration with family and child welfare services and centres is emphasized.

The Children’s House must be open for an average of 6 hours per workday, with standard opening hours 8:00–12:00, except in specified cases. Any extended hours are determined locally by the manager based on needs.

The Children’s House may close 5 workdays per year for tasks specified in its annual work plan.

Parents are involved in the programme. Parental involvement is strengthened by the provision that family and child welfare services must inform parents about the rationale and conditions for using the Sure Start Children’s House service – namely to mitigate the harmful effects of parenting problems and deficiencies in the family – and they also must assist the families in the use of these services.

Activities:

• activities for children

• parenting forums

• health visitor counselling

• community programmes

• parent group discussions

• consultations

• weekly play sessions

Source: Sure Start Children’s Houses (Biztos Kezdet Gyerekházak)