All sorts of things were scheduled last week for Children’s Centre week.
However, did your local children’s centre get the media coverage and the publicity we need for the sector?
One Children’s Centre in Essex had a “garden mania” event. This fitted in with wider plans to develop their garden area, so they invited families in to help plant bulbs, pansies and cress seeds. Many families in their area do not have access to a garden so it ticked lots of boxes – the potential for new experiences for children and adults, encouraging families to do things together and meet other families, publicising the children’s centre and the range of opportunities, and even managing to tie in the centre’s own objectives. Perfect as a plan – and as it turned out very successful in the execution too, with 22 adults and 29 children involved!
Meanwhile in the West Country T-Shirts were the theme of the week, using the resources sent out from Sure Start centrally to raise the profile of children’s centres as an idea and an asset to the local community – have a look at the pictures online!
In Tyneside, toddlers staged their own “great north run” with Riverside Children’s Centre and Primrose Village Children’s Centre in Jarrow joining together, while also in South Shields, the All Saints Children’s Centre held a special play afternoon for twins, working with a group set up three years ago.
Back in Essex plans are also afoot at the Harlow Children’s Centre Network, where they are preparing for an Exhibition at Harlow’s Civic Centre from 7 – 31 October. A special viewing is being held on 13 October (for more information contact the Harlow Children’s Centre Network on 01279 772600 or 01279 773900).
So … what have you been doing? And what are you planning? Share your news and links!
Tags: Children's Centres, Media, Sure Start
