South Family Hub Children's Centre Offer

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Our centres are warm and friendly places and welcome all resident families with a child  under five.

Our main centres are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Cheyne Children’s Centre is also open once a month on a Saturday.

At each of our centres you will find a team of friendly Early Years Family Practitioners who are on hand daily to talk you through the right services for you and your family. We want you to feel comfortable using our centres: our range of activities offer lots of opportunities for you to relax, make friends and learn new skills while also getting excellent advice for you and your family.

There are several sites where you can access our offer;

These can be found in our guide, listing where they are and the activities they offer.


South Family Hub Children's Centres contact details:

email : [email protected] 

Tel:  020 7938 8400


Pregnancy

We offer antenatal and postnatal care at Cheyne and Violet Melchett. These sessions are delivered by midwives from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

 

Mums and Bumps

During your pregnancy we encourage you to join our Mums and Bumps group. The group is for women in the later stages of pregnancy and mothers with new babies under six months old. This relaxed group is a good way to get to know other mums/mums-to-be who live nearby to make friends for you and your baby.

Once a month the group has a ‘specialist’ attending the group (such as a Health Visitor, Music Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Counsellor Childcare Adviser and Job Adviser). These specialists will give a small talk and then stay in the session to answer any queries you may have. The group is also a fun place to be while gaining advice and support.

Once your baby comes along, you and your baby will enjoy the toys and equipment provided at this session to help stimulate baby’s development.

 

Home Safety Equipment

Cheyne and Violet Melchett Children’s Centres both sell a range of home safety equipment. Our team can also advise you on what equipment you will need to make your home safe for your new baby.

 

Dads' Groups

We encourage dads-to-be/dads/male carers to use all our services; we know that this is not always possible due to work and other commitments. On a Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon we hold a Dads-Only play session. This is a safe place for dads/male carers to meet other dads, play with their children and get support and advice from our team if needed.

 

Job Advisers

Often during pregnancy parents-to-be start thinking about their life with a new baby and may consider a change in career or consider taking up training. We have specialist Job Advisers on hand at our Back to Work Support/Job Club sessions who are able to help you make the right choices; they can also help you access Benefit Support/ Advice if you need this.

 

Parenting Workshops

Whether you are a new parent or this is your second or third child, all parents can benefit from parenting advice. We hold regular Parenting Workshops for Mums and Dads-to-be. These two hour workshops help you prepare for becoming a parent, think about your parenting style, and prepare for your new baby.

 

Healthy Start Vitamins

Keeping healthy during pregnancy and as a new parent is very important; all of our centres offer free Healthy Start Vitamins for you and your child. Being pregnant should be an exciting and happy time. Sometimes during pregnancy we feel ‘vulnerable’ or ‘low’ and need a little extra support.

 

Counselling

We have specially trained Counsellors that offer One-to-One Therapy or Group Therapy, to help you through this difficult period. If you are feeling anxious or are low in mood and would like to speak to somebody confidentially about how you can get support with this please contact Emily Henderson on 020 7724 1345 or [email protected]

 

Therapy & Befriending

We offer free weekly one to one therapy and/or a befriending volunteer who can support you in your home. We support ANY family with at least one child under five, and our Bump-Start programme supports families during pregnancy.

 

Health Matters

Health Matters provide services to parents and cares of babies, toddlers and children up to the age of four. You will find a wealth of health information, advice and details of local baby clinics.

 

Bump Start

Are you expecting a baby? Would you like some extra support? If so, a carefully selected and trained volunteer can visit you in your home to help you have a happy and healthy pregnancy and enjoy being the best parent you can to your new baby. Your volunteer will be able to offer you emotional and practical support throughout your pregnancy and up until your baby’s first birthday.

You and your coordinator will decide together what sort of support you want. By visiting you regularly in your own home, your Bump-Start volunteer can help you with such things as: Helping you think about the kind of birth you would like to have and helping you prepare your home for the arrival of the baby. Help you talk about any traumatic birth experiences. Adult company if you are feeling isolated or lonely. Helping you access grants or welfare.

You are the most important person in your baby’s life but being a parent can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly if you are going through a difficult time. If you can get the support you need when you need it, your baby’s future can be so much brighter and you will be supported to help your baby grow, develop and learn. Call Home-Start for more information 0207 724 1345.

Breastfeeding Welcome scheme

Please note until further notice the following group activities will not be running from St. Quintin’s Children’s Centre and Clare Gardens Children’s Centre

Breastfeeding drop in at St Quintin’s every Thursday 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Antenatal workshop sessions Clare Gardens every FIRST Tuesday of the month, 9:30 – 11:30

Please keep checking this page for regular updates on Children’s Centre Provision.

If you're a mum with a baby, it helps to know where you are welcome to breastfeed your child when you are out and about.  Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust has launched a Breastfeeding Welcome scheme throughout Kensington and Chelsea, to let breastfeeding mums know where they will be made especially welcome. For further details please visit the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme website. Breastfeeding support is also available at our Children Centres, contact either St Quintin or Homfield House Children’s Centres for more information.

More information about infant feeding.

Babies under 2

Children’s centres are a great place for new babies and their parents/carers.

 

Healthy Child Information Sessions

The Health Visiting Team offers Healthy Child Information Sessions. These cover different topics to support you during the first two years of your baby’s life. The sessions are relaxed and friendly and you can ask the health professional any questions or concerns you have about your  baby’s health and development.

 

First Aid Sessions

The First Aid Sessions support you to know how to care for your baby in a first aid situation -  you can book on to these sessions with  your local children’s centre.

 

Weaning

As your baby gets a little older and is ready to be weaned, the Introducing Solid Foods sessions will  provide you with advice, guidance, menus and tips for helping your baby move to solid foods. The programme also covers child development.

Your child will be offered an appointment for their 8-12 Month and Two Year Reviews which are delivered by the Health Visiting Team. These are by appointment only and you will be contacted by the Health Visiting Team with an appointment.

 

Well Child Clinic

Your baby is growing and changing daily, we encourage you to attend the Well Child Clinic which is a weekly clinic where health professionals are on hand to weigh your baby, offer breastfeeding support and give advice on your growing baby’s needs including support around sleep and behaviour.

Ask at the children’s centre or call your health visitor to find your local Well Child Clinic.

Thursdays at St Cuthberts is Baby Health Day and a nice opportunity to spend the whole day at the centre. The Well Child Clinic and Breastfeeding Support takes place in the morning. There is a Baby Café where you and your baby can enjoy your healthy lunch with other families. Afterwards, we encourage the babies to have their nap time; the lights are turned down, soft music plays and you can soothe your baby to sleep for an hour or so before the afternoon fun begins.

 

Stay and Play and other activities

We offer Stay and Play for Under Twos; these sessions are run by our Early Years practitioners who are on hand to encourage you and your child to enjoy learning through play. During these sessions we offer regular workshops on topics such as sleep, toilet training, oral health and parenting, we also have regular professional visitors such as Speech and Language Therapists and Back to Work Advisers from the Families and Community Employment  Service (FACES).

Depending on your child’s needs you will be invited to one of the following groups that focus on promoting your baby’s development, communication, positive bonding and increasing their physical and emotional well being: Shake Natter and Roll for babies under six months or Movers and Shakers for babies over six months. Please speak to a member of the children’s centre team about how to enrol.

 

Baby Massage

Spending special time with your baby is essential for their healthy development. Baby Massage is an excellent five week course where you will learn skills and techniques to massage your baby. These soothing strokes and touch can help your baby relax and grow; they help with your attachment and bonding and may also help your baby to sleep better at night. We really like to see dads attending these courses. Baby Yoga is an exciting three week programme teaching you skills to help your baby’s physical, physiological and psychological development. During the three week course you will learn ‘yoga moves’ that are adapted for babies to promote improved sleep, stimulation, brain development and communication. Now that you have had your baby, you will want to get back in shape.

 

MEND Mums

Our MEND Mums is a six week fun and active postnatal weight management programme for new mums with a baby under two years. Each week you will take part in energy - boosting workouts and learn nutrition tips to help establish healthy habits for life. Not all mums settle into motherhood well, and those mums need a little extra help.

 

Creativity for Wellbeing

Creativity for Wellbeing is a ten week course of group music or creative play workshops to enhance mental wellbeing in mothers. This course is for new mothers and babies up to nine months old. The course is part of an exciting new research project. For more information and to see if you are eligible to take part, contact Sarah Yorke on 020 7591 4732.

 

Counselling

If you are feeling low and prefer to have one to one support rather than attend a group, we have specially trained counsellors who will offer you a six week course of Therapy that may help you overcome this period in your life. Children’s centres offer great opportunities for you to have fun with your baby while helping them to develop.

 

Mums and Bumps

We hope that during the early months of your baby’s life you have continued to attend Mums and Bumps. We hope at this weekly group you have developed new friendships and gained skills and support to help you with your new baby. This group is for mothers and babies up to six months old. When your baby reaches this age we hope you will now move on to the Mums Club. This group is for mothers with children of all ages and a nice place to spend some time away from your baby and relax with other mums. We provide a Crèche for your baby/child. All parents need time to focus on themselves and Mums Club is a good place for this, they enjoy activities like pampering, book club and sometimes just having a chat over coffee. We encourage dads and male carers to attend children’s centres and have made some of our activities exclusive for men-only like Dads Play so they have an opportunity to interact with their baby and meet other dads.

Children aged 2

Now your child is two years old you will have already seen them develop and change in many ways. Their bodies and brains are ready for lots of different physical and emotional experiences. It is important that you provide your child with lots of opportunities to satisfy their curious minds. 

During your child’s second year it is extremely important that they have lots of opportunities to develop their Communication and Language skills, Physical skills as well as their Social and  Emotional skills. These are the important foundation skills your child will need to develop  to become ready for school.

Our Stay and Play’s Under Fives provide weekly opportunities for you and your child to develop these important foundation skills. You and your child will be presented with a learning journal and a guide called ‘what to expect next’ that will help you to identify how your child is developing.

Stay and Plays are a good place for your child to practice their skills; we also provide opportunities for you and your child to focus on developing their skills too.

Stories and Rhymes from around the World for children aged two to four is designed to support you and your child develop their communication and language skills. You and your child will enjoy playing with musical instruments, stories and songs. We encourage you to bring stories from your home country and sing and talk in the language you feel most comfortable. During these sessions our staff team will be able to discuss your child’s language and communication. If you have any concerns they will refer you to see a Speech and Language Therapist.

 

I Can... Sessions

I Can...Creative is a specially designed play session to help support your child develop their ‘small movements’. These small movements are really important for supporting your child to do tasks such as feeding themselves, dressing themselves, writing and drawing. During these sessions our staff team will provide lots of fun opportunities for your child to develop and practice these small movements. If you have any concerns about your child’s small movements we can arrange for you to meet with our Occupational Therapist.

I Can...Physical is a specially designed play session to help support your child develop their ‘large movements’. These large movements are really important for supporting your child to develop good arm and leg coordination. During these sessions your child will enjoy activities like running, jumping, bikes, scooters, dancing and hopping to help them practice these important large movements. If you are worried about your child’s movements we can arrange for you to meet with our Physiotherapist.

 

Fathers and Male Carers

There is plenty of research that informs us of the importance of fathers/male carers being involved in their child’s education; we encourage dads to come along to all sessions. We also hold Stay and Plays for men-only so they can enjoy time with their children such as Dads Play.

 

Going to nursery?

Your two year old will soon be going to Nursery and it is important that you use the time before they go to prepare them and yourself for this important next step. Our five week course Ready Steady Nursery has been designed to help you and your child get ready for nursery. The course covers important messages such as ‘what to expect at nursery?’ It provides tips and advice about developing your child’s independence and self- help skills.

The course is delivered in partnership with health visitors, a physiotherapist, a speech and language therapist and music therapist and nutritionists. This is an excellent opportunity to talk to and receive advice from expert professionals.

 

Child Health Clinic and Two Year Development Review

We hope you will still attend the Child Health Clinic to get your baby weighed and measured and discuss their development with the health professional. You will soon get an invitation to take your two year old for their Two Year Developmental Review. This is an opportunity to discuss your child’s health and development while identifying your child’s strengths as well as any areas where your child may need further support.

Some families are eligible for free 15 hours childcare. Please speak to the children’s centre team to find out if your child is eligible.

 

Going back to work

If you are thinking about returning to work or training, all of our centres have a Job Vacancy Folder that is updated weekly with lots of new jobs; please ask at reception to have a look. Our Back to Work Adviser attends children’s centres each week. If you would like an opportunity to meet with them (perhaps to discuss training, work or to update your CV), please ask the children’s centre team. Don’t forget to have time for yourself.

 

Mums Club

The Mums Club is for mothers with children of all ages and a nice place to spend some time away from your toddler and relax with other mums. We provide a Crèche for your toddler.

All parents need time to focus on themselves and Mums Club is a good place for this. Mums enjoy activities like pampering, book club and sometimes just having a chat over coffee.

 

Weekends

If you are unable to attend our sessions during the week, you will be pleased to know that Cheyne Children’s Centre is open once a month on a Saturday. You and your children can enjoy messy play, family films and dads-only play.

Children aged 3 to 5

Now your child has turned three years old you  will soon need to apply for a nursery school place. Please speak to the children’s centre team about how to apply for nursery or school. Your child will be developing and changing rapidly  and will want to explore new environments and get involved in new activities. Children’s centres offer lots of opportunity to support and enable your child’s curiosity.

 

Stay and Play Under 5s

Our Stay and Play’s Under Fives provide weekly opportunities for you and your child to develop these important foundation skills. You and your child will be presented with a learning journal and a guide called ‘what to expect next’ that will help you to identify how your child is developing. Each month there will be a special theme so you and your child can find out more about the world around them. The themes will cover topics such as other cultures, events, animals and countries.

 

Stories and Rhymes from Around the World

This (two to four year olds) is designed to support you and your child develop their communication and language skills as well as support them to develop their listening and attention skills. You and your child will enjoy reading and listening to stories, asking questions and talking about the stories we share. You and your child will be encouraged to sing your favourite rhymes and use your imagination to make up stories of your own. During these sessions our staff team will be able to discuss your child’s language and communication; if you have any concerns they will refer you to see a Speech and Language Therapist.

 

I Can... Sessions

I Can...Creative (three to five) is a specially designed play session to help support your child develop their ‘small movements’ (fine motor skills). These small movements are really important for supporting your child to do tasks such as feeding themselves, dressing themselves, writing and drawing. During these sessions our staff team will provide lots of fun opportunities for your child to develop and practice these small movements. They will use scissors, do puzzles, dressing up clothes and making dough. If you have any concerns about your child’s small movements we can arrange for you to meet with our Occupational Therapist.

I Can...Physical (three to five) is a specially designed play session to help support your child develop their ‘large movements’. These large movements are really important for supporting your child to develop good arm and leg coordination. During these sessions your child will enjoy activities like obstacle courses, climbing, running and building dens to help them practice these important large movements. If you are worried about your child’s large movements (gross motor skills) we can arrange for you to meet with our Physiotherapist.

 

Fathers/Male carers

There is plenty of research that informs us of the importance of fathers/male carers being involved in their child’s education. We hold Stay and Plays for men-only so they can enjoy time with their children, such as Dads Play.

 

Going to nursery?

Your three year old will soon be going to nursery and it is important that you use the time before they go to prepare them and yourself. Our five week course, Ready Steady Nursery has been designed to help you and your child get ready for nursery. The course covers important messages such as ‘what to expect at nursery?’ It provides tips and advice about developing your child’s independence and self-help skills. The course is delivered in partnership with health visitors, a physiotherapist, a speech and language therapist and a music therapist and nutritionists. This is an excellent opportunity to talk to and receive advice from expert professionals. To help your child prepare for nursery, they will need to have opportunities to practice their self- help skills. Lunch Club/Tea Time Club is a good place for them to practice. During this three week course each week they will help prepare a meal, lay the table, take turns, share, feed themselves, follow simple instructions, meet new friends and help tidy-up and wash-up. If you are worried about your child’s eating habits we can arrange for the nutritionist to talk to you.

 

Reading Village

Reading with your child is a lovely way to support their development and encourage a love for books from an early age. At our Reading Village you will find a specially designed cosy space for you and your child to read, think and focus.

 

Arts and Crafts

Children’s centres are primarily for children aged under five years, but we encourage all family members to attend our Family Arts and Crafts Sessions. These weekly sessions are a nice way for the whole family to get creative, enjoy making items like table mats, photo frames, bookmarks and dens. It is important for children’s development that they learn about the world around them. We have a very adventurous teddy bear who goes to lots of places around the world and tries lots of new activities.

 

Going back to work?

You may be thinking about returning to work or training. All of our centres have a Job Vacancy Folder that is updated weekly with lots of new jobs. Please ask at reception to have a look. Our Families and Community Employment Service (FACES)  Back to Work Adviser attends children’s centres each week. If you would like an opportunity to meet with them perhaps to discuss training, work or to update your CV, please ask the children’s centre team.

 

Mums Club

Don’t forget to have time for yourself. The Mums’ Club is for mothers with children of all ages and a nice place to spend some time away from your toddler and relax with other mums. We provide a Crèche for your toddler. All parents need time to focus on themselves and Mums Club is a good place for this. Mums enjoy activities like pampering, book club and sometimes just having a chat over coffee. If you wish your child to attend the Mums Club Crèche you will need to book this before you attend. Crèche places are limited so you should do this at least five days ahead.

Father and Child

For parents and carers

Being a parent can be very demanding. It is very easy to forget about your own needs because  you are busy looking after your family. It is important that you find time for yourself  and make efforts to develop yourself along with your child.

Groups like Dads or Mums Club, are good places to meet new friends and spend time away from your child knowing they are being well cared for in our Crèche. Activities such as Personal Health Coaching, Health Matters and One-to-One Support can be very helpful when trying to find time and space to concentrate on your own needs.

We also provide one to one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy counselling sessions. If you feel CBT would be helpful to you then either speak to your health visitor, children’s centre practitioner or phone Joy directly on 0751 971 3394. You will be offered a series of six one-to-one sessions. Each session lasts  45 minutes. A crèche is available on request.

The Butterfly Project is a support group for women who have experienced or are experiencing any form of domestic abuse. Call Tamara White on  020 7352 3341 or 07800 938 851 for details. Crèche provided.

Job Club is a good place to discuss your options for work or training. Family Maths, Family English, Functional  English will help you improve your literacy and numeracy skills. We hold a variety of workshops to help you as a parent. These two hour workshops are delivered by our team and they will provide you with answers on topics that will help increase your confidence as a parent. Please speak to the children’s centre team or look on the centre notice boards to see when the following workshops will take place.

How to get involved

It is essential to us that parents and carers have their voice heard when it comes to the children’s centre services available. We know that families lives and needs change and we want to ensure that our centres continue to meet the needs and expectations of families. Each of our centres has a Parents Forum. This is a group for interested parents who meet monthly and give their views on the services offered from their centre. The messages from these groups are fed to senior managers in the council and to our Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is made up of local parents and community organisations - they are responsible for ensuring that our children’s centres deliver services appropriate for the community.

If you would like to join the Parents Forum and take an active role in ensuring that children and families access good quality, appropriate services - please see the dates in the calendar. If you don’t have time to commit to the Parents Forum, you can still let us know your views by writing feedback and putting them in the comments box at your local children’s centre. Each centre has a comments box and we open this monthly. If you have a comment that is urgent, please speak to a member of the children’s centre team or hand in your written comments in a sealed envelope.

Parenting Support Leaflets

Related Pages

  1. North Family Hub Children's Centre Offer

Page last reviewed: 13/03/2024

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