South East Portsmouth Children's Centres Cuts

[VOUSEDOLL]

Hello,

This morning many parents had a nasty shock at the Southsea Children's Centre group as we were told that many children would not be allowed to attend from next week as they have changed the age range from 'walkers' to 3-5 year olds only. My daughter is only 21 months and has been going to this since she is 17 months. She enjoys it greatly. At the group this morning the majority of the children would not be allowed to come back next week.

I then and there with other mums decided to contact Portsmouth City Council. We collected people?s contact details and comments. I contacted the Council by phone this afternoon and was called back by the Head of Early Years who was very sympathetic and offered to arrange a meeting with the South East Portsmouth Children Centre Manager in view for parents to run their own groups. I have agreed in principle to discuss volunteering but have pointed out that most parents also willing to help at groups are restricted in their commitment as they have to put the welfare their own child first (my own LO being quite clingy when I am helping out!).

Project Workers are leaving but not replaced so effectively the Children Centres are not offering the same quality of service to the children and parents in Portsmouth.

Anyone in Portsmouth experiencing the same thing? Please do get in touch as I believe that we need to make a stand and be taken seriously by the Council. It is very short sighted to cuts 0-5 year old services as Children Centres allowed this group age to interact socially and to develop different skills. They also offer a great support network to parents.

Will keep you posted on the outcomes of our ?campaign? to safeguard South East Children?s Centres.

Hi,
I was at the same group and as a result of the proposed changes I find myself in a difficult position. My twins are 2 years and 8 months and we have been told that we must stop attending one of our regular groups because they are at an in between age and there are too many people attending both groups. Every week we go to a Tuesday and Thursday group, but under these new proposals we can no longer attend both. The reason is not because of their age/abilities but because of a lack of staffing, since the groups are so popular. By introducing age limits on Tuesday, 3-5 years, most children will no longer be able to go. Will low attendance therefor be the excuse for closing the group? To say that this is upsetting would be an understatement! I would happily pay for Sure Start groups so that they don't close - but we have already paid for them in our taxes! Replace staff and stop making redundancies please so that we can use the facilities that will stand empty. I rely heavily on structure, routine and these groups give us, as a family, companionship and support and make us part of Southsea community.