Work on Leominster's new Children's Centre begins

The Ceremony will take place at the site of the new development at Coningsby Road on Wednesday, January 26.

In keeping with the centre’s ethos of working closely with all agencies and families who’ll use the facility - a local family will be cutting the first hole in the ground.

Councillors and local community organisations, many of whom are involved in delivering services in the new centre, will also be present.

The Children’s Centre, part of the national drive to improve services available to young children and parents, is funded by Central Government and European monies.

It’s expected that the building work will take approximately a year to finish and the Centre will be set to open early in 2006.

The Centre will be a one-stop shop for early years services, with many organisations working together under the one roof.

Once up and running the Centre will house a nursery, offer drop-in sessions, child and parent development groups, health visitor sessions and leisure activities.

The Centre will also offer local parents an Ofsted registered crèche facility.

Leominster is one of three new Children’s Centres for Herefordshire. The other two are based in Hereford city.

The Green Croft Centre, based in South Wye, was refurbished and is now fully open and working with the local community. Hunderton/Hollybush Network Children’s Centre is in the early stages of planning.

Cllr Don Rule, Cabinet Member (Children’s Services), said: “I’m thrilled to see the start of the development of Leominster’s new Children’s Centres.

“The Children’s Centres offer a far more rounded approach to childcare, giving the local communities a one-stop shop with integrated early years services under the one roof.

“Early years development is vital to provide very young children with the social and vocabulary skills they’ll need when they move onto formal education.”