Fun for all the family at The Wokingham Brambles Children's Centre!
Spider men, aliens, bears, cats and fairies took The Wokingham Brambles Children’s Centre by storm on Saturday (January 26) when they enjoyed activities to mark the official opening of the borough’s second children’s centre.
Some 40 families with children aged under five joined in the activities at The Brambles Children’s Centre in Wokingham, including badge-making, smoothie-tasting, pebble painting and drawing. The centre was full of toys for children to play with, provided by the Lend and Play Toy Library and Scrap Store. Children were also entertained by two story-time sessions run by the borough council’s library service and sporting activites also ran throughout the day. The council’s family information service and community wardens were on hand to offer advice and support.
With £2.3million having been allocated from central government’s SureStart programme, which aims to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support, The Brambles Children’s Centre is one of eight scheduled to be up and running in the Wokingham Borough this year.
Children’s centres are a new way of supporting families with children aged under five. The centres will make it easier for families to get advice, help and information they need all in one place, closer to their homes. Services will be developed for each individual centre according to demand, and local need will also determine the frequency and timing of activities.
Wokingham Parents could be looking for a childminder or nursery place for their child. They might need help with a health issue or could be thinking about training or returning to work. Children’s centres can give information on a range of family support services that are available either in the centre or within in the local area. A variety of drop-in sessions will also run including stay and play activities and health sessions.
The Brambles Children’s Centre, located in Budges Gardens in Wokingham, has been offering services to the local community since the end of November and received official seal of approval from SureStart on December 17.
Tea, coffee and juice were available throughout the day provided by Colours Café, a group of volunteers from Rainbow Park Community Centre. Hot food was also served free of charge for anyone who completed a questionnaire on what they services they would like to see at The Brambles. And following on from feedback received, the council will be exploring the possibility of Saturday sessions to support working parents.
Belinda Barrett, Wokingham children's centre co-ordinator, said: “We are very excited about our new children’s centre, which has been designed with the needs of local children in mind. We already have had many children and their families visiting and look forward to welcoming many more in the coming weeks. The family fun day lived up to expectation and everyone had a great time! As well as lots of fun they also found out what’s on offer at this new centre.”
Wokingham Mayor Cllr Annette Drake officially opened the centre. She said: “Children’s centres are an exciting initiative in the borough. The centre is a one-stop shop for families with young children offering them support, help, training and social activities. It was a delight to see so many children enjoying the fun activities that were happening at the launch and for their parents and carers to learn more about the services on offer to them.”
Some 40 families with children aged under five joined in the activities at The Brambles Children’s Centre in Wokingham, including badge-making, smoothie-tasting, pebble painting and drawing. The centre was full of toys for children to play with, provided by the Lend and Play Toy Library and Scrap Store. Children were also entertained by two story-time sessions run by the borough council’s library service and sporting activites also ran throughout the day. The council’s family information service and community wardens were on hand to offer advice and support.
With £2.3million having been allocated from central government’s SureStart programme, which aims to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support, The Brambles Children’s Centre is one of eight scheduled to be up and running in the Wokingham Borough this year.
Children’s centres are a new way of supporting families with children aged under five. The centres will make it easier for families to get advice, help and information they need all in one place, closer to their homes. Services will be developed for each individual centre according to demand, and local need will also determine the frequency and timing of activities.
Wokingham Parents could be looking for a childminder or nursery place for their child. They might need help with a health issue or could be thinking about training or returning to work. Children’s centres can give information on a range of family support services that are available either in the centre or within in the local area. A variety of drop-in sessions will also run including stay and play activities and health sessions.
The Brambles Children’s Centre, located in Budges Gardens in Wokingham, has been offering services to the local community since the end of November and received official seal of approval from SureStart on December 17.
Tea, coffee and juice were available throughout the day provided by Colours Café, a group of volunteers from Rainbow Park Community Centre. Hot food was also served free of charge for anyone who completed a questionnaire on what they services they would like to see at The Brambles. And following on from feedback received, the council will be exploring the possibility of Saturday sessions to support working parents.
Belinda Barrett, Wokingham children's centre co-ordinator, said: “We are very excited about our new children’s centre, which has been designed with the needs of local children in mind. We already have had many children and their families visiting and look forward to welcoming many more in the coming weeks. The family fun day lived up to expectation and everyone had a great time! As well as lots of fun they also found out what’s on offer at this new centre.”
Wokingham Mayor Cllr Annette Drake officially opened the centre. She said: “Children’s centres are an exciting initiative in the borough. The centre is a one-stop shop for families with young children offering them support, help, training and social activities. It was a delight to see so many children enjoying the fun activities that were happening at the launch and for their parents and carers to learn more about the services on offer to them.”
Wokingham Borough Council
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