Children's Centres

Sure Start Children's Centres are places where children 0 - 5 years old and their families can have access to integrated services and information from 8am to 6pm. Children's Centres will play a key part in delivering the five outcomes for children and families that are outlined in the Every Child Matters programme. At the heart of Children's Centres is the recognition that children's social and emotional well-being and high achievement at school go hand in hand; early intervention and support from multidisciplinary teams of professionals delivering preventative and targeted services is key to improving outcomes for children and families.

The government is committed to delivering a Sure Start Children's Centre for every community by 2010. Westminster City Council will develop 12 Children's Centres in three clusters - North, South and Central, with primary and nursery schools and community nurseries as lead settings.

Parents and carers will have access to the following services:

• early learning and care - childcare places, 5 days per week, 48 weeks per year, 10 hours per day
• family support and parental outreach - visits to all new mothers, information on family support services and activities, parenting support and targeted work with fathers
• child and family heath services - antenatal advice, child health promotion, specialist support, promotion lifestyle
• parental involvement and economic well-being - consultation and representation on decision making board, access to training and adult education
• links with Jobcentre Plus.
  
  

Click here for more Children's Centres information

For queries contact Labibun Nessa (Children's Centre Project Manager) on 020 7641 3449, or email: lnessa@westminster.gov.uk