Sat Sep 4 2010

What is a Children's Centre?

Gamesley Early Excellence Centre was created a one stop Children's centre in 2006. A children's centre provides multi-agency services that are flexible and meet the needs of young children and their families. The government intends that the provision of good quality integrated services should have a broad and lasting impact on children, their parents and the wider community. Children's centres will contribute towards the Government's commitment to:

  • The best start in life for every child
  • Better opportunities for parents
  • Affordable, good quality child care
  • Stronger, safer communities

Gamesley children's centre offers the full 'core offer' of a children's centre which is:

1. Foundation Stage nursery school with qualified graduate teachers. This is integrated with:

2. Day care for children aged 0-5years

3. Provision for children with special education needs

4. Toy library, book libraries

5. Out-of-school club + holiday club for children aged 4-11years

6. Health services

  • Baby clinics
  • Orthoptist
  • Speech therapy
  • Breast feeding advice

7. Family Support and outreach services

8. Parent and toddler groups, baby massage, stay and play, heuristic play and many other parent and child groups

9. Positive patenting groups

10. A base for childminders, play sessions and support

11. Services for adults:

  • Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Job Centre Plus

12. Adult community education offering:

  • NVQ l, 2, 3 in child care and education
  • City and Guilds costume design
  • IT courses