A teddy bears' picnic, story-telling and face-painting as well as information and advice on childcare, early education, play, health and family support are all taking place during the third annual Sure Start Month.

Starting early is the theme of Sure Start Month 2004, with activities running throughout June to help parents find out what support and services are available for them on their doorstep.

The council's early years service and our local partners have the following events planned:

Information days - find out about childcare, early education and family support, with a face-painter in residence too! All welcome. 10am-3pm on Thursday, 10 June at Kings Mall shopping centre, King Street, Hammersmith and 10am-3pm on Wednesday, 16 June at West 12 shopping centre, off Shepherds Bush Green

Teddy bears' picnic - Members of the Hammersmith & Fulham Pre-School Learning Alliance and their children are invited to bring their teddy bears, picnic and join in the fun at Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith from 11am-2.30pm on Thursday, 17 June (at the One O'Clock Club, near the café). For more details phone 020 8741 6400

Childminders' picnic - Childminders are invited to bring their children, a picnic and join story-telling sessions at Ravenscourt Park from 1pm-3pm on Wednesday, 23 June (at the One O'Clock Club, near the café)

Sure Start South - Exhibitions and information stands on local services from 14-16 June to mark Sure Start South's move into new premises at Sands End Community Centre, 59-61 Broughton Road, Fulham

Meet the childminders - Parents looking for childcare can meet local childminders at the Distillery centre, Distillery Lane, Hammersmith from 10am-noon on Saturday, 19 June. Call Lesley Richardson on 020 8753 1422 to book a place

Want to be a childminder? - Come to Sure Start Broadway, 49 Brook Green, Hammersmith, from 10am-noon on 30 June. Call 020 8735 5868 to book

Information day for NHS staff - Chance for NHS staff to find out about childcare, early education and family support from 11am-2pm, 15 and 17 June at NHS hospital venues

Working tax credit - Did you know that 98 per cent of families are eligible to claim for support under this government scheme? Information and confidential individual calculations available at Sure Start Broadway, from 3pm-5pm on 24 June. Call 020 8735 5868 to book

Why play? - A session for parents and practitioners led by international childcare expert and author Tina Bruce, with opportunities to explore play. Runs at Hammersmith Town Hall from 7pm-8.30pm on 6 July. To book call 020 8735 5856 or 020 8735 5854.

Cllr David Williams, deputy for education, said: "Sure Start Month is all about letting people know how important it is to give all children an excellent start. We are providing outstanding free and subsidised childcare and early education in the borough through our own centres and in partnership with the voluntary and private sectors."

"We have attracted £7.2 million of government money to develop three Sure Start partnerships in the borough to provide a wide range of childcare and other services for young families. The borough's early years service has also established a network of neighbourhood nurseries, which provide affordable childcare, with the help of grants from the government and National Lottery."

Sandra McCarthy, who has been a childminder in Shepherds Bush for more than three years, said: "A lot of parents don't realise how well trained childminders are. We have taken nationally recognised courses as well as attending monthly workshops run by the local childminding network. The support we have had from the council and Sure Start Coningham has been great."

For out-of-school care and holiday play schemes contact the play service on 020 8753 3786 or visit the Council Web site