Sure Start / Family Centres

[gizmoracer]

Hi everyone.

I have just discovered something that many of you may already know about but its new to me so I'm gonna rattle off about it anyway

A couple of weeks ago I found our local sure start or Family centre. I had heard something about a family centre a while back but never though much of it before. So anyway they hold a sort of a toddler group there on a Monday afternoon. Its brilliant, nearly 2 hours they have loads to do and all sorts of proffessionals on hand all the time, nursery nurse, health visitor (a decent one), someone from speach and language therapy and a few others. I think I mentioned it in my diary that the center manager has worked with women with PNi and is really keen to help promote our awareness weekend.

So anyway back to the point. In the last 2 weeks we have not only joined this cool toddler group that feeds the kids so much at snack time that I don't have to cook tea, but we have had the kids photos taken, signed up for a 123 magic child disapline course, a 6 week pilates course and my friend has managed to convince me to do the cookery course with her to. We practically live there now lol.

But here's the best bit its free ... all of it ... not a penny (well apart from the photos of coarse). I can't believe it, and who says you don't get anything for nothing these days. We started the 123 magic coarse today and I met with another childrens centre manager who is opening 2 more centres in our area. She is also interested in the awareness weekend.

So what I am trying to say is, if you hear about a childrens center in your area go be nosey, I wasn't going to but so glad I did, made new friends, gaining all sorts of new techniques and generally having a great time.

[sare]

Hiya

We have a Sure Start/Children's Centre locally that we have been going to for about 18 months and I agree that it is fantastic. Our local centre has a range of services too and it was actually through them that I had counselling for my PNI.

WE have also takem part in all sorts of activities and never paid more than a pound a week.

I love it there so much that I am on the parents forum and will be on the board of directors for the daycare when it opens

[winegirl]

I am in a surestart area but not sure if we have a centre like that? Do you ladies know if there is anyway of finding out if there is one in your area?

[stevensmummy]

I am sure there is a surestart group running in our area but i'm not involved in it. Is there a way you can find out. I guess I could ask my HV, but is there an internet group any of you know about. I would def be interested in that.

Sarahx

[Scarlet]

Stevensmummy, could you email them hun....

I notice of the website there's a page to check for facilities in your area.

www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/settings/fundedsettings/

www.surestart.gov.uk/