Young families get a great head start
Lots of mums and dads can feel overwhelmed when expecting a baby or looking after small children, so it’s good to know that help is at hand – and on your doorstep. Whether you’re looking for help with childcare, finding a job or a training course, health advice, breast feeding support, parenting advice or simply to meet other mums and dads in your area, Sure Start Children’s Centres have something to offer.
Many children’s centres also provide a range of additional services, such as Stay and Play groups, baby massage, rhyme time sessions and dads’ groups.
Children’s centres are available to all families with children aged under five and offer something for all members of the family including grandparents and registered carers.
Sure Start Children’s Centres can help you achieve more for you and your children as mum of two Balvindar Singh found out.
“I was in the playground at my daughter Sharda’s nursery school when one of the mums mentioned that there was a crèche in the Sure Start Children’s Centre next door,” says Balvindar,” so I went in to find out more.
“The children’s centre is a new building which is very modern and bright and it has an outdoor play area. There are lots of activities for the children and for mums and dads too.
“I now take my youngest daughter Damini, who is two, to the Butterstile Children’s Centre while Sharda, four, is at nursery.
“Damini really enjoys playing in the sand, painting, reading and playing games and has made lots of friends at the children’s centre.
“I also enjoy going to the children’s centre, where I now help teach Indian cooking to other mums, which is really popular. I’ve also completed a first aid course at the children’s centre, because I think it could be a useful skill to have if I ever need to use it. I’d like to do a computer course next to add to my skills.
Balvindar’s husband Bhagt, says, “Damini loves the Sure Start Children’s Centre. There are so many toys and games to keep her entertained, thinking and occupied. So she’s playing while she’s learning. She always comes home talking about what she’s been doing that day and she’s always glowing. She’s normally exhausted when she gets back because she’s been so active and enjoyed the day, so she’s tired in a good way.
“Going to the children’s centre has given Balvindar and Damini something different and exciting to do together each week instead of visiting the library or going to the park. They have found a lot more to do at the children’s centre.
“I’ve been too. I took the girls to Saturday dads group that was set up recently. We played outside, painted on huge sheets of paper, made a train out of boxes and played with puzzles and games.
“I think these children’s centres are important to the community as well as individual families, as we live in a world where there are a lot of people from different races and religions. Children’s centres help to bring communities together and encourage people to learn from each other.”
The Butterstile Children’s Centre in Bury near Manchester, is a Sure Start Children’s Centre. There are now more than 3,100 children’s centres in England, providing access to services for over 2.4 million children under five and their families. Soon there will be at least 3,500 children’s centres – one for every community in England. They offer childcare, family support, health services, and employment and training support. To discover more visit www.direct.gov.uk/surestart or call 0800 2 346 346
