Children's Centres
Children’s Centres provide good quality services to children, young people and their families, in order to give every child the best possible start in life, and have a broad and lasting impact on children, their families and the wider community. The Sure Start Children’s Centres programme is based in the idea that providing high-quality integrated services (health, education, family support and care), particularly in disadvantaged areas, leads to positive effects for children, families and their communities, including:- Increase in the breastfeeding initiation figures
- Reduction in smoking in pregnancy and beyond
- Childhood obesity
- Narrowing the gap in the lowest 20% of the Foundation Stage Profile
- Reduction in the number of workless households
- Swift and easy access to health visitors and maternity services
Children’s Centres are at the heart of the Government’s Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme. By 2010 there will be 3,500 Children’s centres across the Country – one for every community.
- Access to child and family health services
- Training opportunities and employment advice
- Family support including parenting
- Integrated Early Education and Childcare
- Parental outreach
- Information and advice
To date there are 14 children’s centres in Central Bedfordshire. For further information about any of the Children’s Centres please contact the Centre direct using the attached contact details leaflet or alternatively please contact the Family and Youth Information Service on 0300 300 8119 or email at fyis@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Children's Centres in Central Bedfordshire (application/pdf; 329kB)