Have your say about Kenilworth’s children’s centres
Local parents, residents and childcare providers are being urged to help shape the services offered by Kenilworth’s new children’s centres.
Two children’s centres are being developed in Kenilworth to open in March 2008 and the public are being asked to step forward and have their say about what other services they would like to see on offer.
Based at St John’s Primary School and Nursery on Mortimer Road and Kenilworth Nursery School on Bertie Road, the centres will offer activities and support to parents and carers of children under five. Two project workers, who have been appointed to help develop the children’s centres, are keen to consult with the local community to hear their views.
The creation of the new centres is being led by Warwickshire County Council as part of the government’s initiative to develop children’s centres in every locality. The County Council is using a Government grant of more than £6.5 million to provide 22 children’s centres across the county as part of Phase Two of the scheme.
Local parent Kimberley Blake and her six-month-old daughter Jessica use both of the centres in Kenilworth. She said: “I have been impressed with the services available to us and it has been really informal. We are looking forward to the new services, particularly the baby yoga!”
The centres will help families by linking with existing providers, who offer integrated care and education for pre-school children, health services, and family support – all under one roof. The services on offer will include ‘Stay and Play’ drop-in sessions for parents, carers and children; antenatal and parenting support, high quality early years provision, information and advice for parents and support for childminders.
The Children’s Centres will also offer advice about benefits, tax credits and links to employment opportunities with Jobcentre Plus. Yet many more types of services and activities could be delivered through the centre and outreach work around Kenilworth.
Children’s centre project worker Gill Heather said: “This is a really exciting time of development in Kenilworth and the views of the local community are very important to us. Both centres will be developed with the involvement of the parents, children, carers and childminders as well as local providers of services already in existence.”
Questionnaires about Kenilworth’s children’s centres are available from the local library, health centre or by contacting the project workers Gill Heather at St John’s Primary School and Nursery on 01926 854450 or Julie Joannides at Kenilworth Nursery School on 01926 853 394.