Partnering with children's centres

Over the last few years Sure Start Children’s Centres have been popping up across the country. With over 3,500 of them now operational, it’s likely that there’s one near you⁽¹⁾. So how, as toddler groups, can they benefit us and how can we work with them?

Here, Diane Webb shares her experience of partnering with the Applecroft Children’s Centre.

‘In the Summer of 2007 I moved to Welwyn Garden City with my family - my husband had found a new job there and, with God’s provision, there was also a job for me as the Children and Family Outreach Worker at Christchurch Baptist.

‘One day, I received a phone call from Anne Peck, Manager of the new Children’s Centre at Applecroft School, just 400m away from the church! She explained that as part of setting up the centre, she was visiting all the local toddler groups to find out about the needs in the area and then inviting local early years providers to an initial partnership meeting.

‘At the time I knew very little about children’s centres. I thought that they were just for the areas of greatest need – not the leafy west side of Welwyn Garden City. So I did some research and discovered that the Government was funding them and setting up one centre for every 800 children under five years old. According to the Department for Children, Schools and Families⁽²⁾ they are intended to be service hubs, where pre-school children and their families can receive seamless, integrated services and information to ensure that they get the best start in life. Provision varies from centre to centre but generally includes early years health and education services, parenting support and assistance for parents who want to go back to work.

‘Anne came along to our Toddler group and talked to us and the parents. Most people had not even heard there was going to be a local Children’s Centre!

‘I then attended the first partnership meeting. At first I felt a bit lost - there were people from Hertfordshire County Council, the school, health visitors, pre-schools and the minister from the local Church of England church - but I was made very welcome and soon felt able to comment and take part in the meeting.

‘I now go to these meetings every half term. Anne moves the times around to try and enable everyone to attend. Some of the meetings are business meeting where we look at the objectives for the Children’s Centre, give ideas and work together. Other meetings are for training e.g. we had one on English as an additional language. For these, Anne encourages us to bring along other people that we think would benefit.

‘So, as a local Toddler group, how has this helped us? One of the roles of a Children’s Centre is to signpost people to local services. Having visited one of our sessions Anne knows what our Toddler group provides and the differences between the two sessions that we run. She also knows that I am part of a group of three churches who, alongside the YMCA, run a drop-in Toddler group aimed at younger parents in the Space Youth and Community Centre. Anne is always happy to advertise the events we put on, like our Family Fun sessions in the holidays or back-to-school coffee and cake. We’ve built up a good relationship where she feels confident in what we offer.

‘Likewise, I signpost people to the Children’s Centre and display information on activities they are running. It’s become a two-way-street which is mutually beneficial.

‘Is there ever a clash? Yes! With a Children’s Centre so close to an active Community-focused Church it is inevitable. Unfortunately, they do run some groups at the same time as ours. But the key is that we are working together, building communication and respect.

‘At one partnership meeting I was taken by surprise! We were put in groups to talk about why we do what we do with under 5’s and given a few minutes to jot our reasons down before sharing with the group. What should I say? Here I was with a childminder co-ordinator, one of the county’s children’s centre co-ordinators and a health visitor. Well, I decided to be honest and share that my number one reason was to show Christ’s love by the things I do. I was somewhat surprised because I had a very positive reaction from everyone. They know I am there as a Christian and they still want my input!

‘I would encourage you to contact your local Children’s Centre. Let them know what you are doing and find out what they offer. Good communication is important. Be willing to signpost people to them as they have a wealth of information and contacts that are hard for us to build up on our own and in return, you will probably find that they will refer families to you. See if you can send someone to their partnership meetings. By being part of the Children’s Centre your group will know what is happening and they will welcome your involvement!’

Diane Webb

(1) Children, Schools and Families Select Committee report on Sure Start Children's Centres: Letter from Dawn Primarolo (29 March 2010)
(2) www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/earlyyears/surestart/surestartchildrenscentres/childrenscentres/

Last Updated 06 December 2010