Sure Start Children's Centres: targeted intervention?

The link below sets out what children's centres do:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Preschooldevelopmentandlearning/NurseriesPlaygroupsReceptionClasses/DG_173054

Surely it is not beyond the wit of politicians to understand how important these centres  are if we are to tackle parenting issues?  The first wave of centres were located in areas of deprivation and deliberately targeted parents and children in those areas.  Then some bright spark in the last Labour government decided what was required was a huge increase in the number of centres.  The later tranches of centres had a wider geographical remit and before long the  affluent middle-class realised they were on to a good thing and made full use of the facilities, often driving away low income parents who really did need support, but who felt out of place. 

The whole process became target driven, namely numbers led, rather than identifying and concentrating on those in real need.  Attendance at the centres is voluntary.  There must be a legal obligation to attend: to ensure some sense and knowledge is knocked into dysfunctional parents as well as providing a service for the children.  I know, those of a tender liberal, human rights disposition will squeal with outrage, but what is the point of providing services when the main potential beneficiaries go now-where near?   How else can we ensure there is engagement?  (Whilst I am in this vein, I believe it should be compulsory for parents to attend their child's school's parents evenings.)

I have commented before on a playgroup I was involved with, but it bears repetition in this context.  It provided facilities for children from families living in difficult circumstances. Some of the children had major problems of socialisation, were not potty trained and did not know how to play. We had a high staff/child ratio and employed a family liaison officer.   We targeted our clientele. When the premises we used were demolished it had been hoped to move in to the children's centre.  However, the numbers game came into play, the staff/child ratio would have had to worsen and we would no longer be able to target our clientele.  The playgroup closed.

Targeted intervention is what is needed, not a universal system. Again, squeamish liberals will trot out arguments about labeling, provision for all etc. Let them.  We have to tackle the problems and try to give children in deprived circumstances a better chance of commencing primary school on equal terms with the children of  better off families.