Local centres gear up for national Children’s Centre Week

Herefordshire Council’s children’s centres are getting ready to celebrate the success of the children’s centre programme and promote their activities during National Sure Start Children’s Centre week (14-18 September).

Herefordshire has 10 children’s centres which provide activities and services for families with children aged five and under.  Positioned around the county, they provide a single point of advice and support for young families.  What they offer varies depending on local need, but most offer childminder support, job centre advice, health visitor drop-in sessions, dads’ groups, cookery classes and access to basic skills training.  They also provide or link up with childcare facilities helping parents get back to work or training.

During the celebratory week, as well as providing their usual sessions and services, they’re all planning to hold some special events (see below)

Ledbury Children’s Centre – Rumble in the Jungle
September 16, 1.30-4.30pm, the recreation ground, Ledbury
Children and families will be encouraged to turn into ferocious beasts during an active story session being held in the local recreation ground, called Rumble in the Jungle.

Frisbee, traditional games, a natural assault course, den building and lots of play opportunities will be offer too and a number of professionals will be on hand to talk to families about services provided by the centre. 

School pupils from Ledbury Primary School and John Masefield High School will be helping out during the day as part of their sports leadership qualification and the Playbuilder team will be on hand to talk to families about how they’d like the recreation ground to be developed more for children’s play.

Widemarsh Children’s Centre – Digging up spuds with Farmer Duck
September 18, 10.30am-2pm, Widemarsh Children’s Centre
Children and families are invited to help Farmer Duck harvest the centre’s root crop and explore its beautiful and spacious garden area.  Wellies and suitable outdoor clothing are a must.  Once the veggies have been gathered and transported to the kitchen to be washed and sorted, some of the potatoes will be used for potato printing while others will be banged in the oven during flower pot men making time.  There’ll be a story time on offer and everyone is invited to join together for a baked potato lunch.  They’ll even be goodie bags with locally grown potatoes and recipe cards full of lots of exciting ways to enjoy the good old British spud.

Coningsby and Kington Centres – Wild and wonderful play
September 16th (Coningsby) and September 17th (Kington)
Families in the Leominster and Kington areas will be getting creative in the open air on Wild Play days courtesy of the Herefordshire Nature Trust.  Wild play rangers will be running sessions to develop a wildlife friendly natural play area, offering children the opportunity to explore and experience the outdoors and have lots of fun.  The centre is also using the week to start a Babysitting Course in Kington in partnership with the Youth Service on Tuesday 15th September. Coningsby Babysitting Course starts on 10th September, both from 4.30-6.30pm.

South Wye Children’s Centres –  big taster day
September 14, 10am-3pm, Kindle Centre
Green Croft, Springfield and Hollybush Children’s Centres are joining forces and sharing expertise to put on a full day of activities for families to come along and try.  The aim is to give a flavour of some of the things the centres put on.  Crafts, sensory baby play, Music Pool, baby bounce and rhyme, healthy snacks to make and enjoy are all on offer.  Centre staff will be there to meet families and talk about an exciting programme of new activities due to begin this autumn.

Ross on Wye and the Golden Valley – A Sense of Wellbeing!
September 18, 9.30am-12.30pm, Ryefield Centre
Staying safe and being healthy is on the agenda at Ross on Wye children’s centre. All parents will have the opportunity to have free car seat safety checks and helpful tips on first aid in the home. Home point representatives will be on hand to answer queries on accommodation and what is required when bidding for properties. Jumpstart soft play facility and crèche staff will be available to offer fun play experiences along with story times, whilst parents get to chat with their local health visiting team, qualified first aider and children’s information services. 

Centre staff will be there to meet families and talk about a programme of new activities due to begin this autumn over a cup of tea/coffee and cake.

Free mini first aid kits will be given out to all new families who register with the children’s centre and there’ll be lots of other goodies on offer such as reflector badges, bath thermometers, toothbrushes and more.

Bromyard Children’s Centre – Music with Pedro
September 17, 1-2pm, H.O.P.E. Family Centre
Children and families are invited to a music session with percussionist Pedro from 1-2pm.  All welcome.

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We are incredibly proud of our children’s centres in Herefordshire.  They do some excellent work and provide much needed support for some of our youngest residents and their families.

“The council’s staff have embraced the spirit of celebration and organised additional activities and events across the county.  I hope that lots of new families will be able to pop in to their local centre and find out what’s going on.  Meeting other parents and exchanging ideas brings communities together and provides rich social experiences for our children.”