Work on new Children's Centres set to start

8.19.57pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 9th Oct 2007

Work is set to start on new state-of-the-art Children's Centres in the borough.

Work on site is scheduled to begin on October 22 at Heathfield Nursery, Infant and Junior School and at St Richard's with St Andrew's Primary School to support the partnership of schools in Ham and Petersham. The centres will provide a full range of services for children and families including early education and children's health services, along with parental support and advice. They promise to be a real hub for community activities.

What is especially important is that each centre is being overseen by a local partnership so that communities can have a real say in how services are provided to meet their needs. These have already started working to shape the future of these children's centre services. The Government-funded scheme for the two centres has cost £2.2m and work is due to be completed next June. A third Children's Centre - funded by the Council - is to be provided at Lowther School in Barnes. Work on this £1m project is due to begin next March and be completed in January 2009.

Cllr Malcolm Eady, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education, said: "This superb initiative will provide excellent facilities locally for children and families. The Council's commitment is shown by the funding we have provided for the centre at Lowther. All three centres will make a significant difference to the lives of people in the areas they serve and will provide an integrated service for local children and families."