New children's centre in Twyford gets planning permisison
Parents with children under five in Twyford are a step closer to seeing a brand new, purpose-built children’s centre after it got the green light from Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday October 17.
The Twyford children’s centre is one of eight scheduled to be up and running in the Wokingham Borough by Spring 2008. The Wokingham Borough has received funding of £2.3million from SureStart to develop these centres in the second phase of a national programme.
The Twyford children’s centre, set to be located on the site of Colleton Primary School, will join a growing national network of children's centres across the country, providing some health visiting and health promotion services, family support, information for parents and carers including signposting to Jobcentre Plus. This proposal is fully supported by the Colleton Primary School’s governing body and headteacher.
By 2010, there will be 3,500 children's centres across the country - one for every community, offering a range of services for young children and their families, tailored to meet local needs.
In the Wokingham Borough one centre is already open – Ambleside in Woodley. The Brambles Centre, based in the former Keephatch Infant School building in Wokingham, will be offering some services from November 2007. Other children’s centres in the borough are moving forward, with Earley and Shinfield offering services from Spring 2008. The council is currently working with local partners to develop children’s centres in Finchampstead, Winnersh and Wokingham town west which are also set to be offering services from Spring 2008.
All children’s centres in the Wokingham borough are different, as they meet the needs of the local community, but all offer a range services, including:
·Information and advice to parents / carers in order for them access services in their area. Outreach services may be available, meaning that staff will be close at hand for families.
·A childminding network – there would be a network of childminders established for each centre.
·Drop-in sessions for parents/carers and their children. There would be activities for parents with children aged under five and could include sessions such as stay and play and parent and toddler groups.
·Adult education – family learning courses and opportunities for adult learning would be available if there was demand by the local community.
·A “signposting” service to Job Centre Plus.
·Access to antenatal care and health visiting services.
·Access to health promotion services such as stop smoking sessions. The centres would not offer medical services.
Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Twyford children’s services, said: “It is very important that every local child has the best possible start in life and to do this families must have easy access to a wide range of services. The importance of these centres is that they will help achieve better outcomes for children. Through them we can extend our services into more areas, reaching more families as we do.
“Although children’s centres are national initiatives, the borough council is responsible for the planning and delivery of children's centres in the local area. We will continue to consult with parents, the private, voluntary and independent sectors, and other key partners to develop the centres to meet the needs of local people.”
The Twyford children’s centre is one of eight scheduled to be up and running in the Wokingham Borough by Spring 2008. The Wokingham Borough has received funding of £2.3million from SureStart to develop these centres in the second phase of a national programme.
The Twyford children’s centre, set to be located on the site of Colleton Primary School, will join a growing national network of children's centres across the country, providing some health visiting and health promotion services, family support, information for parents and carers including signposting to Jobcentre Plus. This proposal is fully supported by the Colleton Primary School’s governing body and headteacher.
By 2010, there will be 3,500 children's centres across the country - one for every community, offering a range of services for young children and their families, tailored to meet local needs.
In the Wokingham Borough one centre is already open – Ambleside in Woodley. The Brambles Centre, based in the former Keephatch Infant School building in Wokingham, will be offering some services from November 2007. Other children’s centres in the borough are moving forward, with Earley and Shinfield offering services from Spring 2008. The council is currently working with local partners to develop children’s centres in Finchampstead, Winnersh and Wokingham town west which are also set to be offering services from Spring 2008.
All children’s centres in the Wokingham borough are different, as they meet the needs of the local community, but all offer a range services, including:
·Information and advice to parents / carers in order for them access services in their area. Outreach services may be available, meaning that staff will be close at hand for families.
·A childminding network – there would be a network of childminders established for each centre.
·Drop-in sessions for parents/carers and their children. There would be activities for parents with children aged under five and could include sessions such as stay and play and parent and toddler groups.
·Adult education – family learning courses and opportunities for adult learning would be available if there was demand by the local community.
·A “signposting” service to Job Centre Plus.
·Access to antenatal care and health visiting services.
·Access to health promotion services such as stop smoking sessions. The centres would not offer medical services.
Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Twyford children’s services, said: “It is very important that every local child has the best possible start in life and to do this families must have easy access to a wide range of services. The importance of these centres is that they will help achieve better outcomes for children. Through them we can extend our services into more areas, reaching more families as we do.
“Although children’s centres are national initiatives, the borough council is responsible for the planning and delivery of children's centres in the local area. We will continue to consult with parents, the private, voluntary and independent sectors, and other key partners to develop the centres to meet the needs of local people.”
Wokingham Borough Council ~ Twyford
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