Go-ahead for £6.5 million children’s centre schemes
New children’s centres that will support parents and families across Warwickshire are to be built.
More than £6.5 million has been earmarked for the second phase of the scheme, which will involve 22 projects across the county.
Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved the proposals, which will be implemented between now and March 2008 using a Government grant.
The centres will mostly be based at schools or community centres and will include a range of projects. In some cases new buildings will be constructed or extensions added to existing facilities, while in other situations accommodation will be altered.
The creation of the new centres will be led by Warwickshire County Council, but private firms will be able to bid for the tender to run them once they are established. Work to ensure that the centres meet the needs of the community they serve will be carried out.
Between them they will offer a range of services for all parents of children aged under five living in the area.
Other activities for the whole community but especially for parents and children – such as stay and play, music and movement and coffee mornings will be developed, depending on what other provision there currently is in the area.
Every children’s centre will offer advice about benefits, tax credits and employment opportunities and host adult learning courses. In addition, parents will be able to get antenatal and parenting support, and advice about their child’s well being.
Combined with Phase 1 of the scheme, which started developing 13 bases around the county two years ago, the project reaches more than 21,000 children.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) said: “The approval to start phase two of this scheme is excellent news for parents of young children across the county. We are steadily adding to the support that children and their families have. Having support and advice on the doorstep is very important and we are rolling out this network to many parts of Warwickshire.”