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MNHQ

Sure start Children's Centres - do you use them and what do you think of them?

149 replies

carriemumsnet · 07/05/2009 11:53

BBC Radio London have invited us on tomorrow (Friday am) to talk about what Mumsnetters think of Sure Start children's centres. It's a while since anyone an MNHQ used one so we'd be really interested to know what y'all think.

All feedback welcome.

Thanks

MNHQ

OP posts:

littleboyblue · 07/05/2009 12:11

Our local one is really good.
We go for one structured play session a week, that you have to register for so it's the same families each week which gives us all extra reassurance that our children are safe, watched and are 'told off' when another parent sees them hitting or snatching.
Our Sure start centre also holds a ladies night and swap shop every month or so and tey have a drop in cafe type thing on a wednesday afternoon which is free play for the children.
The staff are all wonderful and have made it clear they are there for help and support if we need it.

Nemoandthefishes · 07/05/2009 12:14

I use ours quite a lot and think it is really good. The girls also attend a nursery situated in the childrens centre.
It is ideal for me location wise as it is on the same site as DS school and they run things over the summer holidays that I can also take my 5yr old to.

lisad123 · 07/05/2009 12:14

the only reason i use my local one is to get LO weighed and stop for a tea with friends. Not much else mine.
HOWEVER where i work is always busy, so many groups and so well used. I run a dads group one a month on a saturday morning, we have 30 dads and kids!

Littlepurpleprincess · 07/05/2009 12:15

I've used surestart for 3years and I think it's brilliant. I took DS to baby massage, treasure baskets, heuristic play, active tots, Stay&Play and regularly attend a Young Parents Group. DS has got so much out of it, and so have I. I feel I always have somewhere to go for help or advice.

I also volunteered for them for 2years and did my NVQ3.

I have made lots of friends and DS is moving up to pre-school with children he has known since birth.

At the moment I am doing a challenging Behaviour course with them. I'll let you know how it goes!

lisad123 · 07/05/2009 12:15

school holiday activities are always well attended too

ruddynorah · 07/05/2009 12:20

one just opened near us next to a brand new school. i had high hopes however they haven't launched very well imo. no adverts, no leaflets, nothing in the library or the local paper etc. i'd only know it's there because i went past it one day. so while all the mums n tots groups advertise in the usual places, the children's centre tells us nothing. they don't even have their website ready.

paisleyleaf · 07/05/2009 12:21

Ours are fab. They come up with inventive and creative activities that you'd never do at home (like a paddling pool full of cooked spaghetti etc).
They have outings and play days at parks in the holidays.
And, drop in in advice sessions with professionals (ie speech therapists etc) regularly at the sessions.

LuluLulabelleWantsANewName · 07/05/2009 12:22

I popped into my nearest one for the first time today and it was absolutely full! Very friendly staff and lots for the little ones to do.

Mine also offers a good selection of classes.

paisleyleaf · 07/05/2009 12:22

Oh and, ours have a free swimming session every week for babies and preschoolers

Shoshe · 07/05/2009 12:25

I have just been to ours which opened in February, it has a beautiful fully equipped Family Room (we had been to a music session there and stopped for a coffee after) and there was nobody else there.

In fact I have never seen anybody use it.

Even the music session which is put on privately is almost exclusively used by CM's.

artichokes · 07/05/2009 12:27

I have just discovered out local children's centre (in west London) and I love it.

When I had DD1 I know nothing about this facility and I paid alot of money to do classes such as baby massage etc. Now I have DD2 and money is tight and I have found that all the classes I paid for with DD1 are available for free through our Sure Start children's centre. We do baby massage and under ones play. I also take DD1 to a toddlers cooking class. All the classes are lovely and attract a real mix of local mothers. I think this is the real bonus of the scheme - it brings together mothers from all walks of life in a supportive environment. There is none cliqueyness of some private classes and I now know women from across the neighbourhood.

My only complaint is the officious nature of the front desk staff. They have a military like interrogation approach to finding out whether you live in the area and are entitled to use the centre. This can be a little off putting.

lisad123 · 07/05/2009 12:28

I do think alot of it is the staff, and how far they are wiling to go. I never exspect people to turn up t group, just because i put them on and put a few posters up, its word of mouth, having a face that people know and trust and building relationships with parents and proffessionals.

Galava · 07/05/2009 12:30

There is one near me in what I consider a deprived area.

Puts me off visiting tbh ...

However judging by the replies above maybe I've missed out.

BillSilverFoxBuchanan · 07/05/2009 12:31

We use our local one quite often, and think that it is very good. They do a number of different activities, and the staff are very friendly.

My only gripe is that it can be very difficult to find out what groups are on and when.

sunnyshine · 07/05/2009 12:32

used to love using our local centre. these days too much attitude by staff, cm not really welcome, not much on offer really. we still go to stay and play but thats more to catch up with old friends and if there were other places to go i would.

ruddynorah · 07/05/2009 12:32

round here they set up the first ones in the more 'deprived' areas but now they seem to be putting one in every little town and area.

lisad123 · 07/05/2009 12:35

should be one in every area/community by 2020. Ours in in deprived area, but we have a good mix of parents

EldonAve · 07/05/2009 12:38

I've not been to ours
There is very little info about what's on when or exactly where to find it on the estate

I only know of it as the local NCT is running a bf drop in there

ProfYaffle · 07/05/2009 12:39

I think they're a good idea, ours seems really good but I can never get anywhere near it! Local CM's seem to block book all the activities, especially in the school holidays, I've never actually managed to get a place on any.

Flamesparrow · 07/05/2009 12:39

I've been to a few - I think I mainly comes down to who is running it (just basic sure start playgroups this is).

The one I currently go to is great. Toast which the children butter/jam etc themselves when you arrive, then another snack time later on. The staff are lovely, activities always "themed" and well organised.

The one I used to go to though had staff that didn't really care, it was all a bit mish mash and meh.

Littlepurpleprincess · 07/05/2009 12:41

They were put in deprived areas first because they needed it the most.

serant · 07/05/2009 12:43

I live in the deprived area. We attend the baby cafe and a couple of groups, i found the staff friendly & the majority of mums were too.
The activities are fabulous and the surroundings are well equipped.

Sunshinemummy · 07/05/2009 12:44

Used to use the one in Wapping, SE London, and it was wonderful. Lovely staff, great timetable of events, nice atmosphere, brilliant sensory room, good courses (they ran a Baby Yoga course there). Sometimes was oversubscribed and we couldn't get in as it was so brilliant.

Sunshinemummy · 07/05/2009 12:44

Sorry East London, not SE London.

ruddynorah · 07/05/2009 12:45

yes. when i used to live near a deprived area before i had dc we were often leafleted about what was happening at the sure start centre. there were lots of links to adult ed stuff to, loads of free classes for everyone. always big pages in the local paper about events that had been on and what was coming up.

now this one near us now you hear nothing. it's been open maybe 4 months now.

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