Life’s a beach for children’s centre
Families will be donning their flip flops and carrying their buckets and spades down to Lighthorne Heath’s Village Hall on Saturday 1 September.
The community beach party, which has been organised to promote Lighthorne Heath’s new Children’s Centre, will feature sand and water play, flip-flop painting, fruit-kebab making and a baby beachcombers’ sensory zone. Families are invited to bring a picnic along to the event, which runs from 11-2pm on Saturday 1 September at the Village Hall.
The more serious message behind the fun, is that day will give a sneak preview of some of the services that will be offered at the Lighthorne Heath Children’s Centre which is expected to open in May 2008. The beach party will give local parents, residents and childcare providers the chance to have their say about the centre’s development and the services they would like to see on offer. Children’s centre staff and Warwickshire County Council’s Children’s Information Service will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice.
The creation of the new children’s centres is being led by Warwickshire County Council as part of the government’s initiative to develop centres in every locality. Lighthorne Heath’s children’s centre will offer fun activities, initiatives and support services for children under five, their families and carers.
Based at Lighthorne Heath Primary School, the centre will act as a focal point within the community. The services on offer will include ‘Stay and Play’ drop-in sessions; antenatal and parenting support, high quality early years provision, information and advice for parents and support for childminders. The centre 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 Lighthorne Heath.
Becki Cameron, Children’s Centre Development Worker, said: “We look forward to welcoming as many families as possible to our beach party. The day will be great fun but it will also be an opportunity for parents to shape the future of Lighthorne Heath Children’s Centre and find out what opportunities are around locally for their children and for themselves.”