4Children

4Children was a charity organisation in the United Kingdom focused on children and families. Formerly, the National Out of School Alliance and then the Kids' Club Network, the organisation was established in 1983 for developing a concept of after-school provision following research conducted by the British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centre (BASSAC).[1]

4Children ran 88 Sure Start Children's Centres across the country, 42 nurseries, 21 out-of-school clubs, and provided services in 24 activity centres at Royal Air Force bases in partnership with the RAF Benevolent Fund.[2]

History

4Children

In 2004, Kids' Clubs Network changed its name to 4Children.[3] It was officially launched at the organisation's annual policy conference, 'Tomorrow's World' at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster. The following year, the charity announced plans to expand their work by running children's centres in partnership with local government.[4] In 2005, 4Children's first children's centre, the Carousel Centre in Essex, was launched. In 2009, 4Children launched the Family Commission, an inquiry that asked 10,000 families about their experiences of family life and family policy in the UK. Chaired jointly by Esther Rantzen and Anne Longfield, the report called for the extension of children's centres.[5][6][7]

Partnership

4Children was Department for Education's strategic partner for early years. 4Children also ran a website, 4Children's Foundation Years[8] to support early years professionals.

Campaign

The Make Space for Health campaign was the charity's longest running campaign to inform young people about healthy lifestyles.[9]

Closure

4Children's corporate growth under its chief executive, Anne Longfield, was not matched by growing revenues, and the charity ran into financial trouble. It ceased operations and entered administration on 1 September 2016. Before its financial difficulties were publicly known, Longfield was appointed Children's Commissioner for England. Many of its functions were assumed by Action for Children.[10]

References

  1. ^ Bonel, Paul (2000). Good Practice in Playwork Second Edition: A Guide to Good Practice. Nelson Thornes. pp. 5–6. ISBN 978-0-7487-5496-0. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  2. ^ "4Children launches youth work projects for RAF | Children & Young People Now". cypnow.co.uk. 20 August 2010. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  3. ^ "CHARITY RELAUNCH: Kids' Clubs unveils its new identity | Children & Young People Now". cypnow.co.uk. 3 March 2004. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Children's Centres: 4Children plans radical expansion | Children & Young People Now". cypnow.co.uk. 22 March 2005. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  5. ^ Williams, Rachel (22 February 2010). "Families say public services fail them". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  6. ^ O'Hara, Mary (31 May 2011). "4Children spearheads early years initiative". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Welcome to The Family Commission website". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  8. ^ "Foundation Years". www.4children.org.uk.
  9. ^ "RACING CLUB MAKE SPACE FOR TEENAGERS - Local - Warwick Courier". warwickcourier.co.uk. 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  10. ^ Butler, Patrick (5 September 2016). "Childcare charity 4Children goes into administration". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2016.

Further reading