So what is a Children's Centre? Children's Centres provide multi-agency services that are flexible and meet the needs of young children and their families.
The core offer includes integrated early learning, care, family support, health services, outreach services to children and families not attending the centre and access to training and employment advice.
Children's Centres are models of multi-agency and partnership working. At the heart of the centre is high quality learning and access to full day-care for children.
The building work on the new Children's Centre at Lowther Primary School is now complete. At the heart of the building is the new Nursery and Reception classrooms with additional rooms for the North Barnes Children's Centre.
Many people are confused by the name Children's Centre, especially when services are offered from more than one building. In North Barnes we are very lucky to have lots of Partners on board.
For example, Castelnau Centre Project and Lowther School already work together to provide services that will be found in the Children's Centre.
North Barnes Children's Centre was commissioned to replace the ageing nursery building and merge with the reception class to form a foundation stage learning facility.
At the same time the Children's Centre will upgrade the entrance to the school and create a wealth of community facilities that will strengthen the schools existing local connections.
The school is already an important part of the local community and the new Children's Centre is seen very much as a community building and will form an important part of the social context of the neighbourhood.
The Children's Centre will benefit not only the children that attend it, but also parents and local residents alike.
The area of North Bames that Lowther School serves has a high proportion of children receiving free school meals, and those whose first language is not English.
It is the aim of the school to help reduce dependency and the facilities that the Children's Centre will offer will help to achieve this as well as raising the profile, both of the school and the surrounding area.
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Holy Trinity Church
Trinity Tots
Session includes free play, organized craft activity, healthy eating refreshments, circle story and song time.
Tuesdays 9.30am - 11.30am. Every Tuesday during term time in partnership with Castelnau Centre Playgroup.
Cost: £2.50 per child per session 1 year + (under 1 year – Free). Sibling and low income rates available.
For further information phone: Lilian Richmond on 020 8274 0315
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North Barnes Safer Neighbourhood Team
Do you have any concerns about crime, community safety, anti-social behaviour or other issues that make you or your family feel unsafe?
Call the North Barnes Safer Neighbourhood Team led by Michael Coughlan. This is not a 24 hour service but the team will always respond to any messages left on their number-remember to leave your contact details.
The team hold regular Police Surgeries where people can come and talk to them about any concerns they may have or information they want to give.
There are comfortable seating areas, a computing area and hot drinks are available while you read.
Regular events include weekly story-time for the under 5's. Homework Sessions for Year 5, 6 & 7 children, and a Book Group held once a month. The library also delivers books to housebound readers.
In partnership with CCP, North Barnes Children’s Centre will be offering a range of
activities for children under 5 and their families at Castelnau Community Centre.
All Children’s Centre activities are free to attend.
These two activities are weekly excluding
half terms.
The Children’s Centre will also be running a series of short courses and groups during January, February and
March for parents and/or children.
These include: Baby Massage, Paediatric First Aid (crèche
provided), Baby Yoga, Cook and Chat for adults with English
as an additional language and Parent and Toddler cooking.
For further information on any of these courses please
contact either Elaine FitzGerald on 020 8748 3984 or
Katie Walsh on 07985 202491.
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* Fit For Sport at CCC
* PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE FOR THE AFTER SCHOOL CLUB THIS YEAR. FIT FOR SPORT WILL BE RUNNING FROM THE CASTELNAU COMMUNITY CENTRE (JUST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE SCHOOL) THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.
The After School Club at Lowther Primary is now managed by Fit For Sport.
The team offers an exciting programme of activities for your chid from 3.15pm - 6.00pm everyday during term time and holiday camps at Lowther every school inset day, half term and Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays for children 3 - 11yrs.
