About Children's Centres

Introduction

Hertsmere Leisure Children’s Centres are funded by Surestart and managed by Hertsmere Leisure. For more information about Hertsmere Leisure please see www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk

What are Children’s Centres?

Children’s Centres offer the best start in life for every child, providing a place where under 5’s can get involved in a range of both play and early learning activities. Parents, grandparents and carers can benefit from better opportunities with access to child care, family support, health services, outreach services, training and employment advice.

See video of a local Play and Stay session:

What is the Staff Structure of the Children’s Centres?

• Childrens Centre Staff Structure (pdf, 42k)
• Nurseries and Pre-School Staff Structure (pdf, 40k)

What is the Management Structure of the Children’s Centres?

Leadership of Children’s Centres
IHertsmere Leisure is Lead Agency for 10 Children’s Centres, 8 in Hertsmere District, 1 in St Albans District and 1 in Three Rivers District, all are in the county of Hertfordshire. A cluster model approach has been chosen to manager the 10 Children’s Centres. All four clusters are overseen by a Senior Leadership Team made up of Children’s Centres Director, Assistant Director, Partnership Co-ordinator with targeted support from a Children’s Centre Qualified Teacher and co-ordinated by a Team Leaders.

Borehamwood and Shenley Cluster – made up of Borehamwood North and Elstree, Borehamwood South and Shenley Children’s Centre areas

Potters Bar Cluster – made up of Potters Bar East and Potters Bar West & South Mimms Children’s Centre areas

Bushey Cluster – made up of Bushey and Bushey Heath Children’s Centre areas

Park Street, Radlett and Abbots Langley – made up of Park Street, Radlett and Abbots Langley Children’s Centres areas

What is the aim of a Children’s Centre?

Children’s Centres provide services for under 5’s and their families, providing:

• The best start in life for every child
• Better opportunities for parents
• Affordable, good quality childcare
• Stronger and safer communities

Where are the Children’s Centres?

	Centre Name	Status
H1	PB1 Children's Centre	Open
H2	Furzefield Children's Centre	Open
H3	Shenley Village Children's Centre	Open
H4	The BECC	Open
H5	Borehamwood Link	Information Point at The Venue
H6	Radlett Link	Information Point at Radlett Library
H7	Bushey Mill	Open
H8	The Reddings	Open
3R1	Abbots Langley Children's Centre	Open
SA9	Park Street & St Stephens	Open

What services are provided?

Children’s Centres will be expected to provide the following services to all children under 5 and their families:

• Access to early education with full day care
• Family support
• Health services
• A base for childminders
• Access to support and advice on training and employment

What can family support offer me?

The Children’s Centres will be there to provide a range of support from information leaflets on parenting issues, drop in sessions for parents to chat and share ideas as well as parenting groups.

Tell me more about the health services that are available to my family

A range of health professions, including baby clinics, health visitors, speech therapists and community dieticians are involved with the services offered at our Children’s Centres.   Antenatal sessions are being introduced at The BECC and we hope to be able to offer postnatal sessions in the future.

What sort of information and advice will be available to me?

Advice on child care, parenting, healthy lifestyles as well as training and employment will be available.

Who is responsible for delivering the Children’s Centre programme?

Hertfordshire County Council has been given the responsibility for ensuring the development of Children’s Centres across Hertfordshire. Hertsmere Leisure have been appointed to manage the development and delivery of Children’s Centre services in 10 areas

How will Children’s Centres develop?

Each Children’s Centre will develop depending on the needs of their communities. The Children’s Centres will be working very closely with parents and carers and all those who currently provide services for families.

Where can I find more information?

Regular updates on the progress of the Children’s Centres will be in the local press and on our website.

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