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Some of the Services Explained
Healthy Start Scheme
A Parents Forum is made up of interested parents who want to get involved in the Children’s Centre they attend. There are opportunities to have your say and influence the activities and events that take place. There are also opportunities to receive some training and develop skills.
All our children's centres promote the Healthy Start Scheme. If you are pregnant for have a child under 4, the Healthy Start Scheme can help you buy fruit, veg or milk. If you qualify for the scheme, you will be sent vouchers to use in many different shops. You will also get vouchers to swap for free vitamins suitable for mums and children aged 6 months to 5 years. All our children's centres can help you with: l Checking to see if you are eligible for the Healthy Start Scheme l Filling in the Application Form l Swapping your Healthy Start vitamin vouchers for vitamins l Using your Healthy Start fruit and veg vouchers in local shops If you want to know more about Healthy Start ask a member of staff or go to www.healthystart.nhs.uk.
Stay and Play
Together for Twos
This is usually a staff run drop-in where you can come with your child. You stay at the session and are able to meet other mums, dads and carers in a friendly atmosphere with opportunities to play with your child.
Did you know that your two year old could be entitled to 15 hours of free early learning a week? This could be with a registered childminder or a Children’s Centre, crèche, local nursery or pre-school playgroup. All of these early learning places have qualified staff who are trained to look after children. They are inspected by Ofsted and have been graded by Ofsted as providing good or outstanding learning experiences for children. Research has shown that good quality early learning and care can expand children’s development especially in communication and language, developing their physical skills and socialising with other children and making friends. Taking a Together for Twos place also helps families, as you can have time for yourself and take advantage of the activities and courses run at your local Children’s Centre, for example, courses such as preparing to go back to work, finding out more about child development and first aid. Currently, free Together for Twos places are not available for all families. If you are receiving benefits or on a low income, then you may be entitled. To find out more about a Together for Two place come in and visit your nearest GWCC Children’s Centre.
Dad’s Group or Dad’s Brunch This is a group for Dads and Male Carers and usually runs once a month. We have some exciting activities taking place including science activities, outings and even residential trips. The regular groups run at Sherington Children’s Centre on the 2nd Saturday of the month and at Quaggy Children’s Centre on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
Parents Forum
Counselling Service This is a one to one service where parents can get support on a variety of personal issues in confidence.
Family Support Children’s Centres offer support to families within our area in a variety of ways. All families go through some difficult times and our service understands that we can play a part in empowering mothers, fathers and carers in their role as parents. We can offer information on services you may wish to access. We provide group support in ways such as parenting courses and support groups. We even offer one to one support with different issues. Please feel free to talk to staff about any concerns you may have. We are here to help.
Functional Skills Functional Skills are practical skills in English, Maths and ICT for all learners. Functional Skills provide an individual with essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work.
Infant Feeding GWCC is working towards the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Award. This means we will be promoting in all our centres: l Breastfeeding l Safe & responsive bottle feeding l Strong & loving relationships between parents and their babies Staff are being trained and there will be information and advice for pregnant and new mums in the centres about infant feeding. If you would like to know more, please ask a member of staff.
ESOL English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). Learning English or improving what you already know is really useful if you want to study, get on in work or learn more about your rights and responsibilities. Creches are available for certain activities. Please let the Centre know if you cannot take up a creche place as this can then be allocated to another child.
GWCC Robert Owen Early Years Centre
Sherington Primary School & Children’s Centre (Charlton)