South Newbury Children's Centre, which is funded by the Sure Start scheme and operated by West Berkshire Council, is proud to announce that it has bee

South Newbury Children's Centre, which is funded by the Sure Start scheme and operated by West Berkshire Council, is proud to announce that it has been open for a year.

To mark the occasion, a 1st anniversary party was held on Saturday 7th March. The day was full of activities for carers and children, including a mobile farm where the children were able to feed the lambs, play with the baby chicks and chase after the goats, donkey and little pony. The children were also able to play on a bouncy castle and there were various craft activities available for carers and children to make special crafts to take home.

The anniversary party was organised by Yvonne Johnson, a social work student who is doing her placement with the Children's Centre. Manager of the Centre, Cheree Tham said: "It was a really special day for the Children's Centre and the feedback from the families was positive. We really enjoyed sharing the experience with the families in the community."

South Newbury Children's Centre is one of seven in the district. They are all part of the Sure Start programme, which is the key delivery mechanism to achieve the objectives set out in the Government'sEvery Child Matters programme. Therefore, the services are socially inclusive and strive to strengthen the development of children. This focus increases social competence through working in partnership with families and community partnerships.

The Children's Centres offer a range of activities such as a regular Health Visitor and Midwives drop in, Stay n' Play sessions, Music and Story Sessions, Dad's and male carers Stay n' Play.

The centres also offer an in-home 'Parents As First Teachers' (PAFT) programme, as well as a revolving weekly PAFT group, which is a parent education/family support programme for parents from the antenatal stage until a child is three. Parents are the experts where their child is concerned and PAFT aims to work with them to increase knowledge of child development and enhance parenting skills. PAFT encourages parent-child interactions and promotes ways for parents to stimulate their child's intellectual, language, social and physical development.

For additional information about services and activities contact the South Newbury Children centre located next to the Willows Primary School, Pyle Hill, Greenham, Newbury RG14 7SJ or call (01635) 34695.

Issued on 10 March 2009 by West Berkshire Council