Children's centres
Children's Centres offer services for children and families, providing early years education and childcare, health services and family support, all under one roof.
They are a service hub within the community for parents and providers of childcare services for children of all ages - offering a base for childminder networks and a link to other day care provision, out of school clubs and extended schools.
They provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere where families are provided with services that help them: be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; achieve economic well being.
Children's Centres also have links with local training and education providers, Jobcentre Plus and Families' Information Services.
Children's Centres Commissioning
Over the summer, Council Members looked at the issue of Children’s Centres in detail, as part of wider work carried out by the Member-led Commission looking at Early Years.
In September, the Council’s Cabinet agreed to go ahead with the commissioning process for all 21 Children’s Centres. Informed by the work of the Early Years Commission, Members agreed a way forward that would be underpinned by the following principles:
- No Children’s Centre in Calderdale will close but the offer in each Centre will have to adapt to make the best use of the available resource;
- Daycare will continue to be an important way in which the Children’s Centres improve outcomes for children, but how the daycare is offered may change in order to minimise cost and maximise effectiveness and efficiency;
- Children’s Centres will continue to provide services for all Calderdale’s children; vulnerable children will still be a priority within this.
Bids from interested organisations have been thoroughly assessed by a panel of people who are experts in Children's Centres, health, family support and commissioning.
We are pleased to announce that the following providers have been chosen and will be offered the contracts to run the service from 1 July 2014:
| Lot 1: North East and Lower Valley | Lot 2: Central and Upper Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Organisation | North Halifax Partnership | Halifax Opportunities Trust |
| Children's Centres | Ash Green (Mixenden) Creations (Ling Bob) Illingworth (Whitehill) Innovations Kevin Pearce Northowram and Shelf Elland Field Lane Holywell Green Wellholme Park | Beech Hill Boothtown Jubilee Little Stars (Parkinson Lane) Little Stars (Warley Road) New Road Siddal Southowram (Withinfields) Sunshine (Mount Pellon) Hebden Vale Todmorden |
We will work with these organisations over the next few months to make sure that any changes needed for the new arrangements will be seamless. Both organisations have exciting plans for the future, but any changes will be introduced carefully, and the excellent work that the Centres do will continue. We will ensure that there is no disruption to the service that you and your family receive.
More information will be made available before the new contract start date on 1 July 2014.
If you would like further information or have any queries, please contact:
- Name:
- Naomi Whenham
- Email:
- naomi.whenham@calderdale.gov.uk
- Telephone:
- 01422 392817
- Post:
- Children and Young People's Services
Calderdale Council
Northgate House
Halifax HX1 1UN.
