Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Council’s first children’s centre is now officially open and providing a family services one-stop-shop to families and children under five.

The Rowans Children’s Centre, located on the Fox Hill Primary school site, Bracknell is the first of six family centres planned for the borough, and was officially opened today by the centre manager, Cath Lowther, and Director of Education, Children’s Services and Libraries, Tony Eccleston.

The centre is home to an early years and childcare team, family outreach worker and local health visitors with facilities for school nurses and other professionals.

Bracknell Children’s centres offer under fives and their families access to a number of services like parenting support, baby clinics, breastfeeding support, speech and language therapy and much more according to local need.

Other activities running at the Rowans include a toddler group, football for dads and their toddlers, parenting courses, healthy eating, music sessions and clinics covering a range of topics including weaning, toilet training and sleep.

Parents and carers are urged to visit the centre to see what it can offer them and their children.

The Rowans aims to offer local families access to many services without the need to travel very far.

These Bracknell centres are at the heart of the government’s strategy to deliver better outcomes for children under five and their families.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Education, Children’s Services and Libraries, said: The drive to create children’s centres, providing good integrated services, has come from our Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership which brings together representatives of all the organisations working with children.

"The new children’s centres will build on existing good practice and enhance it, so I hope that many more families with young children will benefit from high quality services."

Cllr Dr Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Bracknell Children’s Services: "Children’s centres are excellent as they bring together services in one place making services more accessible. It is easier for parents and carers to get any help or support that they need.

The opening of the Rowans is important as it is the first of Bracknell Forest’s children’s centres to bring together our services with those provided by health professionals and the voluntary sector.

In order for these centres to be successful, we need people to visit them! Anyone - mothers, fathers, young or older parents - is welcome to the Rowan’s children’s centre.

I am confident that the local community will take great benefit from it."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council