Children’s Centre

and Extended Schools Development in the Oxford Road Cluster

The aim of a Children’s Centre is to provide integrated services for children and families. Children’s centres are aimed at children aged up to 5 and their families, ensuring that they improve outcomes for all young children.

A Children’s Centre is a place where families can access a range of services that are local to their community. They will provide access to:

• Full time childcare and early education for 0-5 year olds
• Child and family health services
• Family support and outreach to parents
• Links with the Job Centre plus and Children’s information services.

In Reading we have four Children’s Centres open already, Sure Start Whitley Children’s Centre, Blagdon Nursery School and Children’s Centre, Southcote Children’s Centre and Norcot Early Years Centre.

In the next two years we will be setting up another 6 Children’s Centres throughout Reading, which will be open by March 2008. These will be in the following areas:

• East Reading
• Caversham
• Oxford Road
• Coley Park
• Dee Park
• Katesgrove

The Extended schools programme aims to improve the lives and services for all children and young people across the country. By 2010 all children should have access to a variety of extended services in or through their school. Extended Schools Services will bring together the community, schools & external organisations to promote and encourage higher aspirations amongst children & young people.

Extended Schools include the following:

• High Quality Childcare – available between 08:00am – 6:00pm all year round. This may be on a school site or provided elsewhere ion the local area through child minders or private/voluntary organisations

• A varied programme of activities – including homework club, sports activities, arts activities and volunteering.

• Parenting Support – including help for parents at key points of change for children e.g. when they move school or first start school.

• Swift & Easy Referral – to a wide range of specialist support services for those children with additional needs e.g. speech and language therapy, behaviour support.

• Community Access & Adult Learning – Access to school or community buildings, to provide ICT facilities, arts facilities or sports facilities, where this is appropriate.

We are currently working with various voluntary and statutory professionals and local organisations, which are helping us to identify some gaps and opportunities for families, children and young people in the area. Our priorities are to help fill these gaps and provide a seamless service of support and activities for families and for children from birth to 19 years.

If you would like to find out any more about the progress of the Children’s centre and Extended schools programmes please contact:

Nigel Denton, Extended schools Coordinator on 0118 939 0900 ext 7999 or email: Nigel.denton@reading.gov.uk

Becky Barnard, Children’s Centre Development Officer on 0118 939 0900 Ext 3801 or email: rebecca.barnard@reading.gov.uk