WIN 250 OF ARGOS VOUCHERS

Transcription

1 news march 2007 Welcome... to our latest edition of Sure Start News, bringing you all the information you need regarding Childcare in County Durham. In this issue we have included a brief guide to the variety of childcare services you can choose from as well as a breakdown of all the Children s Centres available throughout the County and a small selection of the services and activities they offer. If you should need any further information don t hesitate to contact the Children s Information Service on Enter our free prize draw to WIN 250 OF ARGOS VOUCHERS See back page for details

2 Choosing Childcare: What you need to know: Choosing childcare may be one of the most important decisions you will make for your child. There are so many options to choose from it can be confusing so here is a brief summary of the services available to help you on your way. Remember! The Children s Information Service is on hand to provide free impartial advice and can provide you with up to date information to meet your needs. Call WHAT IS A NURSERY? A nursery can mean different things, there are nursery schools and private day nurseries. Nursery schools and nursery units provide early education for children between three and five years old (some in the east of County Durham will take children from two-and-ahalf). Schools are open from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday and follow school terms, although more are now offering childcare beyond those hours. Most nursery schools and units are provided by Durham County Council. Most private day nurseries offer education for pre-school children, in the same way as nursery schools and units. In addition to this, private day nurseries provide care, for children aged from six weeks to five years old. Hours tend to fit in with an average working day of 8am to 6pm, and care is usually provided all year round. You can send your child, full time or part time with many childcare providers offering a range of flexible options. In both cases, nursery education is FREE and makes up 12.5 hours a week, it can be accessed as a half day or full day session. Nursery education whoever provides it, is operated through the state education system with standards being monitored by Ofsted. Any childcare you arrange will be charged, prices vary and you should ask your childcare provider about those costs. A nursery whether privately run, community, council or workplace, must be registered and regularly inspected by Ofsted. Strict guidelines on staff/children ratios must be complied with. two

3 CHILDMINDERS Childminders are self employed carers based in their own homes. Those who care for children aged under 8 must be registered and inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), who carry out regular checks on the home and childminder. As part of the registration process, all adults (16+) living and working in the childminder s home are police and health checked. Ofsted inspections make sure that the childminder is in good health; suitable for the job, and that their home is safe. A childminder can look after up to six children under eight years old including their own, but only three of them can be aged under five. Childminders must provide a smoke free environment. All childcare providers now have to meet 14 national standards relating to health & safety, equipment and the care and learning they provide. The childminders registration certificate will show how many children they can care for and of what age. Most are willing to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as well as part-time perfect, say, for school drop off/collection, and holidays. In addition, throughout County Durham there is a mix of both formal and informal childminder networks. Informal network are co-ordinated by a nominated worker who helps other childminders access training, arranges regular support group meetings and toy library resources. Formal networks are Children Come First Quality Assured to NCMA (National Childminding Association) Quality Standards. Childminders are assessed to see if they are suitable to join the scheme and receive regular monitoring and support visits to ensure standards continue to be fully met. Choosing a childminder YOUR CHECKLIST! Ask to see: Certificate of Registration (check the details) Certificate of Childminding Insurance (is it up to date?) Recent inspection reports - Ofsted Business insurance if the childminder will use her car to take your child out. Fire Blanket (all childminders should have one) Valid First Aid Certificate Ask questions: What training, qualifications and experience does the childminder have? Can references be supplied? How many children are being cared for (including the childminders own) and what ages are they? Are meals provided? Do they cost extra? Do you need or want to supply nappies, toiletries, milk or food? What happens when the childminder is ill or on holiday? How does the childminder manage children s behaviour? Why did you decide to become a childminder? What do you enjoy most about the job? Are you part of a Quality Assured Childminder Network? What activities does the childminder plan and provide, toddler groups, visits/outings? Will the childminder take your child to playgroup, nursery or school? How will the childminder contact you in an emergency? How will we share information about my child? Look around the house: Is it clean, welcoming, warm and safe? Are other children playing happily? Is there space to play, rest and sleep? Are there books and toys to play with and things to do? Is there a garden? Is it safe? (Look for ponds, greenhouses, garden tools, steps, garden chemicals) Are there any pets and are you happy about this? Do the childminder and children get on well together? three

4 OUT OF SCHOOL & HOLIDAY CLUBS Out of school services are for school age children to play, learn and have fun in groups and are usually based in or near schools. Out of school services are run outside school hours by a team of staff, usually called playworkers. Activities should be planned to help children learn, play and relax with their friends. Playworkers will often pick children up from local schools. There are different types of out of school services so look around to find one that suits you and your child. Out of school services are also called Kids' Clubs. There are different types of out of school provision as detailed below: Breakfast clubs open in the mornings before school so children can enjoy breakfast there. After school clubs open in the afternoons between about 3.30pm and 6.00pm. Holiday playschemes open during school holidays between about 8.30am and 6.00pm. Choosing a Day Nursery or Out of School club, Ask to see: YOUR CHECKLIST! Certificate of Registration Certificate of Insurance Recent Ofsted Inspection Report Policies Ask questions: What training, qualifications and experience do the staff have? How many children are being cared for and what age? Are meal/snacks provided? Is there a menu? How does the staff manage children s behaviour? Are children taken on outings/visits? Are you happy with this? How are parents involved? Are children playing happily? What sort of activities are planned & provided? Do you have to supply nappies/wipes etc? Do the staff & children appear to work well together? SESSIONAL CARE The phrase Sessional Care is a general term for childcare that lasts less than half a day. This type of childcare comes in a number of different forms from Parent and Toddler Groups to Crèches to Playgroups. PARENT AND TODDLER GROUPS Parent and Toddler groups are available for children aged 0-5 and provide an informal, friendly gathering where parents and carers can share the pleasures and the anxieties of bringing up a small child. They are usually set up in the local church hall or community centre and run by volunteers, normally the parent/carers themselves. Parent/carers are responsible for their own children. They enable you to meet other parents and carers in a friendly atmosphere and chat over a cup of tea, knowing your children are safely enjoying themselves nearby. They are open to anyone who wishes to use them. CRÈCHES A crèche provides occasional care for children who are under 8 years of age. Some crèches are set up in permanent places and provide care for children whilst their parents/carers are shopping or doing sport. Some crèches are set up on a temporary basis to care for children whose parents/carers are attending a conference or exhibition. PLAYGROUPS Playgroups or pre-school are available for children aged 2-5 years and normally last around 3 hours per session. They provide opportunities for play and sometimes nursery education if they are registered with the Local Education Authority (LEA). Remember! The Children s Information Service is on hand to provide free impartial advice and can provide you with up to date information to meet your needs. Call four

5 New Support for Families in County Durham Durham County Council has recently appointed 37 Parent Support Advisers. This is a new role which is being piloted by the Government. The Parent Support Advisers will be based in primary and secondary schools across the County and will work in partnership with parents and pupils to ensure they and their families get the most out of the educational opportunities available to them. Support will include Parenting Support Groups, Parenting Courses and one to one support for families to help parents gain confidence in their parenting skills and deal positively with discipline. The support will also involve providing parents and children with the information and support they may require when the child moves school especially from primary to secondary school which can be worrying for both parents and children alike. Families will also be offered access to a range of Family Learning opportunities which will be fun and help parents to better understand what their children are learning in schools. Support will also be offered to families of children who have difficulties with attendance where reasons for the poor attendance can be identified and practical help offered. If you would like to know more about the service please contact your local school to see if they are taking part in the pilot. Extended Services in schools The DfES (Department for Education and Skills) expects that: By 2010, all children should have access to a variety of activities beyond the school day. Well organised, safe and stimulating activities before and after school provide children and young people with a wider range of experiences and make a real difference to their chances at school. It gives them the opportunity to keep healthy, to acquire new skills, to build on what they learn during the school day or simply to have fun and relax. What can you as a parent expect from schools in your area in the future? There is a core offer of extended services which can be accessed either at the school or through the school. The Core Offer of extended services includes: Quality Childcare: The school provides access to childcare, 8am until 6pm five days a week, 48 weeks of the year, this only applies to fulltime pupils in the school. The childcare must be of high quality and Ofsted registered. The childcare can be offered on the school site (if there is sufficient demand) or in partnership with existing private nurseries or childminders. Parental Support: Schools should provide you with information about your child s progress through school and at key points in their journey through school. For example when the transfer to a new year group. Also the school may offer family learning activities for you and your child/ren to attend together. A Varied Menu of Study Support Activities: All schools should provide good study support activities to complement the curriculum, this will include arts, dance, drama, sports, music and many more. These activities can be offered on the school site or by sign posting you to other providers. There may be a charge for these activities. Swift and Easy Referral to a range of specialist health services: Should your child/ren need additional support from a specialist service such as Speech and Language or school nurse, the school will ensure that any support can be provided within the school. Community access including access to ICT: This is about the school offering the community access to suitable facilities and adult learning programmes. Facilities can include use of ICT equipment where appropriate and where it is practical for the school to do so. If you would like to find out more about what is on offer in your school please contact the school direct or check out their website. five

6 A Sure Start Children s Centre near you: Sure Start Children s Centres are designed to support all parents across County Durham. The focus is 0-5 year olds and wherever possible the new Children s Centres will be located in, on or next to a Primary School. The purpose of the Children s Centre is to bring together a range of services, ideally under one roof. The range of core services that must be provided are Play and Learning; Child and Family Health Services; Family Support; a link with Job Centre Plus and a Base for Childminders. These developments would not have been possible without the partnership approach adopted in delivering these centres. Partners include the Primary Care Trust in County Durham, Schools Social Care and Health, Education, the private and voluntary sectors and many more organisations. There will be 43 children s centres by 2008 most, 32 are already open with the remaining 11 opening over the next 15 months. To illustrate County Durham has been split into five areas (based on the old Primary Care Trusts boundaries); the following map shows where the centres are or will be based, with their address and contact numbers. Durham Dales Area Willington Sure Start Children s Centre, Chapel Street, Willington, County Durham DL15 0EQ Tel: Coundon Sure Start Children s Centre, Victoria Lane, Coundon, County Durham DL14 8NP Tel: Weardale Sure Start Children s Centre, Westcroft, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL13 2NU Tel: St Helen Auckland Sure Start Children s Centre, Manor Road, St Helen Auckland, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 9EN Tel: Woodhouse Close Sure Start Children s Centre, Walker Drive, Woodhouse Close Estate, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 6QL Tel: Middleton-in-Teesdale Sure Start Children s Centre, Town End, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 0TG Tel: Evenwood & Ramshaw Sure Start Children's Centre, The Randolph Centre, Stones End, Evenwood, County Durham DL14 9RE Tel: Derwentside Area Burnhope Sure Start Children's Centre, Langley Avenue, Burnhope, County Durham DH7 0AG Tel: Craghead Sure Start Children's Centre, The Middles, Craghead, Stanley, County Durham DH9 6AG Tel: Stanley Sure Start Children s Centre, Clifford Road, Stanley, County Durham DH9 0AB Tel: Benfieldside Sure Start Children s Centre, Proposed opening Spring/Summer 2008 Catchgate Sure Start Children s Centre, Blackett Street, Catchgate, Stanley, County Durham DH9 8LX Tel: Leadgate Sure Start Children s Centre, West Street, Leadgate, Consett, County Durham DH8 7PN Tel: Moorside Sure Start Children s Centre, Chester Road, Moorside, Consett, County Durham DH8 8EQ Tel: Durham and Chester le Street Brandon Sure Start Children s Centre, Carr Avenue, Brandon, County Durham DH7 8NL Tel: Ushaw Moor Sure Start Children s Centre, Durham Road, Ushaw Moor, County Durham DH7 7LF Tel: Laurel Avenue Sure Start Children s Centre, Laurel Avenue, The Woodlands, Gilesgate, County Durham DH1 2EY Tel: Sherburn Hill Sure Start Children s Centre Proposed opening Spring/Summer 2008 Kelloe Sure Start Children s Centre, Proposed opening Spring/Summer 2008 Bullion Lane Sure Start Children s Centre, Gray Avenue, Chester Le-Street, County Durham DH2 2EL Tel: Pelton Sure Start Children s Centre, Ouston Lane, Pelton, Chester-le-Street, County Durham DH2 1EZ Tel: Sacriston Sure Start Children s Centre Proposed opening Spring/Summer 2008 Easington Area Blackhall Sure Start Children s Centre, Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool, County Durham TS27 4NA Tel: Easington Sure Start Children s Centre, Whickham Street, Easington Colliery, Peterlee, County Durham SR8 3DJ Tel: Horden Sure Start Children s Centre, Ocean View, Horden, Peterlee, County Durham SR8 4EQ Tel: six

7 Stanhope Consett Crook Stanley Derwentside Area Chesterle-Street Durham City Durham & Chester-Le-Street Area Seaham Easington Area Peterlee Durham Dales Area Sedgefield Area Sedgefield Newton Aycliffe Barnard Castle Thornley Sure Start Children s Centre, Cooper s Terrace, Thornley, County Durham DH6 3DZ Tel: Wheatley Hill Sure Start Children s Centre (Family Centre), Jack Lawson Terrace, Wheatley Hill, County Durham DH6 3RT Tel: Dene House Sure Start Children s Centre, Peterlee, Manor Way, Peterlee, County Durham SR8 5RL Tel: Eden Hill Sure Start Children s Centre, Robson Avenue, Peterlee, County Durham SR8 5DH Tel: Howletch Sure Start Children s Centre, Pennine Drive, Peterlee, County Durham SR8 2NQ Tel: Shotton Sure Start Children s Centre, Grange Terrace, Shotton Colliery, County Durham DH6 2JP Tel: Wingate Sure Start Children s Centre, Partridge Terrace, Wingate, County Durham TS28 5BD Tel: Haswell Sure Start Children s Centre, Church Street, Haswell, County Durham DH6 2DZ Tel: Murton Sure Start Children s Centre, Barnes Road, Murton, Seaham, County Durham SR7 9QR Tel: Seaham Sure Start Children s Centre, Seaham House, North Terrace, Seaham, County Durham SR7 7EU Tel: Sedgefield Area Dean Bank Sure Start Children s Centre, 12 Beaumont Street, Dean Bank, Ferryhill, County Durham DL17 8PH Tel: Chilton Sure Start Children s Centre, Chilton, County Durham DL17 0PT Tel: ( ). Opening Spring Shildon Sure Start Children s Centre, Byerley Road, Shildon, County Durham DL4 1HN Tel: Newton Aycliffe Sure Start Children s Centre, Stephenson Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham DL5 7DD Tel: Fishburn Sure Start Children s Centre, Proposed opening Spring/Summer 2008 West Cornforth Sure Start Children s Centre, High Street, West Cornforth, Ferryhill, County Durham DL17 9HP Tel: Middlestone Moor Sure Start Children s Centre, Proposed opening Spring/Summer 2008 Sure Start Children s Centre at Tudhoe Moor Nursery, Tudhoe Moor, Spennymoor, County Durham DL16 6EX Tel: seven

8 Here is a tiny selection of the some of the huge number of activities and support available at your Sure Start Children's Centre. Give your nearest one a call and find out more. If you live in an area that will have a centre developed, please call your nearest open centre. Durham & Chester le Street Calling all young parents Are you a parent under 25 who would like to meet other young parents? Then the Bears and Cubs young parent groups could be the answer. Bears and Cubs is a friendly and informal group with fun and useful activities for both parents and children. Current activities include a visiting nail technician, arts and crafts and a Body Shop demonstration. Health topics are also covered on a weekly basis with taster sessions and fun quizzes. To celebrate National Smile Month in May/June 2007 fun activities focusing on teeth hygiene are planned. Sure Start is for Dads too A growing dads group in Chester le Street is approaching its first anniversary. It s not just about the free bacon sandwiches, there are various activities to take part in, which have ranged from messy time, storytime, outdoor activities and physical activities. Trips to Saltwell Park, Diggerland and the Discovery Museum have taken place with a planned visit to Whitehouse Farm. Sessions take place once a month on a Sunday morning between 10am 12 noon at Bullion Lane Children s Centre with a regular group of dads, male carers and children attending each time. Contact Bullion Lane for details of the group there or at Pelton Children s Centre to find out more about the dads group or any other of the activities taking place. Parents attending the group have access to other professionals and agencies for help, advice and support, such as family planning which offers a drop-in service on Mondays pm. Parents can use their forum to get involved in developing future services. The group meet every Monday 1-3pm at the Ushaw Moor Centre but, if that is too far or you can t make Monday how about joining the Toddles and Waddles group at the Brandon Centre which meet every Wednesday 1-3pm. Contact Karen Gates for more details at the Ushaw Moor Children s Centre. Chatterbox Challenge... is a national children s sing-along event created by I CAN, the children s communication charity, to help young children develop their communication skills. This year s events have a jungle theme with cheeky monkeys and little lions roaring to perform their jungle jingles. Our challenges promise to be fun filled events for children living in our children s centre areas, offering arts and crafts, song and rhyme, story telling and face painting. Three events will take place across Durham in Kelloe Primary School, and the Sure Start Children s Centres at Laurel Avenue and Ushaw Moor. Contact the Ushaw Moor centre for details. 1 in 10 children in the UK struggle with a communication disability. I CAN endeavour to raise vital funds to support our children with these difficulties. To learn more please visit or call I CAN on If you would like to learn more about communication development in young children please visit This site is bursting with information, advice and ideas for parents and professionals. eight

9 Easington So much to offer at Wheatley Hill With activities to suit all from birth to preschool, the timetable of activities at Wheatley Hill looks as packed as ever. Whether it s Baby Massage, Twinkle Time, Baby Gym, Messy Play or Little Bunnies there is sure to be something your child will love. A new addition to the timetable is the fortnightly baby clinic ran by Alison Webb Health Visitor, which now runs alternate Mondays am from the family centre. For further information about what's on at the Wheatley Hill Centre give them a call, see centre pages for contact details. New services in a new centre prove very popular Since January this year, families have been quick to enjoy all the activities the Thornley Sure Start Children s Centre has to offer. So far Messy Play and Little Monkeys Play sessions run every week, the centre s first weaning course is half way through its run while the first baby massage programme only recently being completed. Faye Robinson, Nursery Nurse for both Wheatley Hill and Thornley centres is thrilled with the take up of the groups and is keen to see more join in the fun. Sedgefield Fun, games and ask questions too Dates and Times for Open Events at your Sure Start Children s Centres Chilton Sure Start Children s Centre Saturday 31 March 07, 10.30am pm Saturday 9 June 07, 10.30am pm Monday 10 September 07, 2pm pm A series of 'Open Days' to let mams, dads and carers of under 5s see what Sure Start Children s Centres can offer is taking place now. Drop in at any or all events, bring your family, meet the friendly staff, ask any questions and have a good look round the Children s Centres! With fun and games for the kids and lots of information for you it really is a date for your diary. Look out for posters and leaflets advertising dates and times in your local area or simply call in to your local Children s Centre anytime between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, we re only too happy to help. Dean Bank Sure Start Children s Centre, Ferryhill Saturday 14 April 07, 10.30am pm Saturday 23 June 07, 10.30am pm Newton Aycliffe Sure Start Children's Centre Friday 13 April, 10am - 3pm Saturday 30 July, 9am - 3pm Shildon Sure Start Children's Centre Saturday 7 July 07, 9am - 3pm Tudhoe Moor Sure Start Children s Centre Saturday 21 April 07, 10.30am pm Saturday 16 June 07, 10.30am pm West Cornforth Sure Start Children s Centre Friday 22 June 07, pm nine

10 Derwentside Our Green Fingered Buddies We were delighted to receive a lovely letter and photograph from Callum and Chloe Gray from Catchgate. Callum and Chloe came along to the Easter Eggstravaganza event in Spring 2006 and planted some tomato seeds as part of their outdoor bunny hunt. They wrote to show us how their tomato plants had grown and how they had enjoyed looking after them with their Grandad. It was great to hear that the whole family had been involved in the activity and that they hadn t forgotten about the event months later. We d love to hear from anyone who d like to share similar stories with us. Contact the Catchgate Centre. Congratulations West Derwentside Network Childminders recently completed Let s Talk with under 5s training at Moorside Children s Centre. The childminders received their certificates of attendance from Julie Cowmeadow, Speech and Language Therapist. Putting old wives tales to bed Parents in Derwentside are being encouraged to answer their children s sex and relationship questions thanks to a new course. The Speakeasy course gives adults up-to-date information on contraception, sexual health and relationship issues in a fun and informal way. The idea is to give parents the correct information to answer their children s questions with confidence and without embarrassment. So far 14 people have completed the course run at the children s centre in Stanley with another course due to begin in Consett. Health Promotion Specialist Jaime Battye and Family Support worker Linda Frazer are running the initiative after completing level three of the Speakeasy facilitators course. Jaime said: Most young people just want to hear the facts from their parents and Speakeasy gives them the confidence and self-esteem to do this. Parents who have completed the course have told us that they feel well informed and have spoken openly with their children as a result. This means that young people are getting the correct information about sex and relationships, rather than just relying on hearsay and old wives tales. Speakeasy conforms with sex education being taught to young people in schools. Research has shown that relationship and sex education can raise the age of first sexual activity, reduce teenage pregnancies and cut the rate of sexually transmitted diseases. Speakeasy courses are run on demand. For more information contact Jaime Battye, at the Stanley Sure Start Children s Centre. visit for details of activities at all Children's Centres or give your nearest centre a call to find out more about joining in ten

11 Every Child Matters Sure Start County Durham is part of Every Child Matters, a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19. Background to Every Child Matters In 2003, the Government published a green paper called Every Child Matters. This was published alongside the formal response to the report into the death of Victoria Climbié, the young girl who was horrifically abused and eventually killed by her great aunt and the man with whom they lived. The green paper built on existing plans to strengthen preventative services by focusing on four key themes: Increasing the focus on supporting families and carers - the most critical influence on children's lives Ensuring necessary intervention takes place before children reach crisis point and protecting children from falling through the net Addressing the underlying problems identified in the report into the death of Victoria Climbié - weak accountability and poor integration Ensuring that the people working with children are valued, rewarded and trained The green paper prompted a wide consultation with people working in children's services, and with parents, children and young people. Following the consultation, the Government published Every Child Matters: the Next Steps, and passed the Children Act 2004 to support the development of more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families. In County Durham through consultation, five key outcomes have been identified and agreed, they are essential to the development and wellbeing of our children and young people. In County Durham we want all our children, young people and their families to: Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well-being Organisations involved with providing services to children - from hospitals and schools, to police and voluntary groups are working together, to protect children and young people from harm and help them achieve what they want in life. Children and young people are and will be involved in this process. For more information about Every Child Matters please visit their website: or click on the link at eleven

12 Children s Information Service Do you need... advice about Childcare? Are you looking for... childcare that meets your needs? Are you looking for... a fulfiling, exciting and ever-changing career? For all things childcare, call the Children s Information Service free on or [email protected] To enter our free prize draw to win 250 of Argos vouchers, to celebrate that County Durham will, by opening 43 Children s Centres have a quarter of all centres in the North East region, simply answer the following question, complete your details and return it to your nearest (open) centre: How many Sure Start Children s Centres will be opened in County Durham, is it A) 43, B) 443 or C) Answer: A B or C Parent/Carer: Surname...First Name... Address Postcode...Tel:... Mobile: Children under 5 years: Name...D.O.B / / Name...D.O.B / / Name...D.O.B / / Name...D.O.B / / Name...D.O.B / / I am interested in receiving further information about the wide range of services available at Sure Start Children s Centres (tick box) My nearest Sure Start Children s Centre is/will be (please refer to centre pages):... Entries must be given in person to the closest (open) Sure Start Children s Centre to your home please see centre pages for details of your nearest centre, posted returns will not be accepted. Entries are restricted to one entry per household. Entries are restricted to households with one or more children aged 5 or under. Entries will only be accepted from residents of County Durham. Entries must be received by 5pm on Monday April 30th 2007, entries after this date WILL NOT be accepted. There are five prizes available restricted to one prize per area, see centre pages for details of those areas. No cash alternatives can be substituted for any prize. Entries submitted by employees of DCC or those supporting Sure Start cannot be accepted. All winners will be notified in writing within 10 working days of the closing date. All results will be published in the next edition of Sure Start County Durham news (June 2007) and displayed on If you need information from this publication summarised in another language or format, such as Braille or talking tape, please call For more information on Sure Start please call free on or visit or