Page 16 - link magazine

Future of children’s centres
The Springboard to
to be discussed until 16 August Confidence for your child
Swindon Council has launched a consultation on proposed changes to
the town’s 14 children’s centres which provide information, advice and Britain’s leading National Active Physical Play programme
services for parents of children under five. for children from 6 months to 7 years.
A re-organisation is planned so est in this issue to let us know what Your child will learn agility, balance, climbing,
co-ordination appropriate to his or her age.
that centres have to work more closely they think.” Structured programmes designed to build
together and target funding where Under a new funding formula self confidence and develop essential
there is the most need. worked out between the council and listening and language skills.
Resources have increasingly not heads of centres, 90 per cent of the Supervised by trained staff in a fun and
matched local demand, with the money received by each centre will caring environment.
busiest children’s centre - Butterflies at have to be targeted at vulnerable and Tumble Tots now in your area!
Abbey Meads Primary School - receiv- poor families within their catchment. For information about local centres call
ing only the 11th level of funding out Ten per cent can be used for activities Liz Davies
of fourteen centres, despite providing which are accessible to all families. on 0844 800 0219
services to over 1,000 more children West Swindon Family Centre
than the second-busiest centre. manager Julie Batson said: “We will be
In the past decade there has been working to maintain our high levels of LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare
a significant increase in service and minimise any & eduCation
the number of children impact on the quality of FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS
under five, due to a ris- the services to families in Established 1986
ing birth rate and town West Swindon.” The Common, Brinkworth, Wilts
expansion, particularly Abbey Meads head- Tel: 01666 510356
in the north and south. teacher Bob Buckley, Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042
There has also been an left, who is also head of l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education within a safe,
secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children from 0-5 and an out of
increase in demand for Butterflies, said North school club for children aged 5-11 years
specialist services, with Swindon had experienced l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year
more children suffering from abuse rapid growth with a disproportionate l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for
and neglect, and more under 10s impact on the children’s centre. “The 3-5 year olds
l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching
coming into care following family reduced funding across the town will staff and nursery nurses
breakdowns. now be reallocated on the basis of l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room,
This is set against central govern- need. The continued challenge for school hall with gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about
ment cutbacks to local authorities. Butterflies will be to respond to fami-
Council leader Cllr David Renard, lies in parts of North Swindon like
said heads of children’s centres and the Redhouse where there is little physical MEND: where families
council have worked together on how space to offer support activities.”
to deliver the best possible services Find the council’s assessment of get fit and healthy for free
with reduced resources and increasing need and change proposals at: www.
demand. “We have to take a fresh look swindon.gov.uk/childrenscentrecon-
at the way we are providing support sultation
to families with children under five. The consultation ends on 16 August.
The work done by children’s centres There are two public meetings which
is hugely valuable, but the way we parents can attend:
currently provide the service is not Thursday 1 August, 4pm to 5pm,
sustainable and no longer in the best Link Centre;
interests of particularly vulnerable Tuesday 6 August, 7pm to 8pm,
children. Pinetrees Community Centre, The
“I would urge anyone with an inter- Circle, Pinehurst

MEND is a fun, free 10-week programme for
children aged 5-16 years and their parents

If you think your child is over a healthy weight and would like
further information about MEND
please call Emma Sperring on 01793 465412
or email [email protected]
or visit www.leisureinswindon.co.uk

swindonlink.com • August 2013 17

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