The authors describe the joining of a VIP resource project from an "old" child care partnership (Bolton ACPC) with a new childcare partnership, Sure Start, to provide a training service to parents within local Sure Start areas. Sure Start nationally has four key objectives that pertain to the promotion of positive child development, the safeguarding of children from harm, and offering opportunities to learn about effective child-rearing practices. Courses were called "Child Protection for Early Years" and were divided into a level one and a level two course. The level one course included definitional issues, government legislation and guidance, and the local child concern model. The second module was more concerned with how to help children and included a discussion of responding to disclosure, talking with children, asking for services, making a referral, and understanding the needs of children after trauma or abuse. It was clear from the evaluation of the training that awareness of child protection issues had been raised by the courses. It was also clear that parents had reacted strongly on an emotional level to the training that pertained to the nature and consequences of child abuse. The results of the training have been communicated to Bolton ACPC and Bolton Sure Start. Both organizations have responded by committing future financial support to the project, and ACPC is considering ways to extend the training program in other areas of the community. The initiative is continuing in all four Sure Start areas. When parents and members of the community have completed the first two modules, they will be eligible to apply for further courses under the main VIP project program. In addition to exploring more complex and specialist areas of child services, parents will be included in the same training groups as practitioners and volunteers. 12 references