Official opening of Herefordshire's first Children's Centre

Tom Jeffery, the Department for Education and Skills’ Director General for Children and Families, will officially open Herefordshire’s first Children’s Centre, in South Wye on Wednesday, March 16.

The Green Croft Centre has been up and running since September 2004, as the first designated Children’s Centre in Herefordshire and one of only seven in the West Midlands. 

The centre offers families a ‘one-stop shop’ with integrated services - tailored to meet their needs – all under one roof.

Offering access to a wide range of services for families and young children is achieved through working in partnership across Herefordshire Council’s Children’s Services, health and the voluntary and private sector.

A range of services have been brought together to offer quality childcare and education, outreach and centre based family support, specialised support for families/children with special needs, child and family health services, including ante and post natal services and an extensive Early Years Resource Centre.

The Centre also provides families with opportunities to access a variety of activities including Carer and Toddler group, Stay and Play session, Parent Fitness group and Jumpstart which all run weekly. 

Training opportunities are being developed within the centre, for other childcare providers and parents. 

“Merry go Round @ Green Croft” provides full day childcare all year for children aged three months to five years and is able to offer “wrap around” care with Marlbrook Primary school, providing childcare from 7am – 7pm. 

Local childminders also use the centre as a base so that children and families can have the choice of different forms of care for young children.

Cllr Rule, Cabinet Member (Children’s Services), said: “I’m very proud that Herefordshire is at the forefront in implementing the Government’s programme of offering services to children, particularly in an area where need is so great. 

“The fact that we have babies at one end of the building, three-five year olds next to them, with parents gaining help elsewhere is a joy to see’.

Sue Fiennes, Director for Children’s Services welcomed the formal opening. 

“This is the first Children’s Centre to open in the county.  Work has started on a second in Leominster and a third will be provided at Hunderton. 

“All the centres will offer integrated services to young children and families.  I hope that we will be able to develop one in every area of the county in coming years.”