Surestart ( Childrens centre services )

[shelley bda]

I was wondering if any body used the centres at all? they run a range of groups from breastfeeding, to twins to Dad's groups. Also creches and stay and plays

I'm a creche leader for Childrens Centres, and it offers so much support to parents for children from birth to 5. There are centres all over the UK. So there's bound to be one near you A world away from the crabby Mother and toddler groups! I took Michael once, and was ignored never went back... and Jon wouldn't go as he was put off by the word "Mother" in the title.

Surestart

[Moby-Dick]

Is there much available for working parents? with both of us at work 9-5 monday to frday we kind of miss outon a lot of these opportunities.

[Teamsreth]

The one near me has a dads thing on a Saturday. Unfortunately, I work Saturdays.

But Mrs Teamsreth goes to Bumps and Babes, and says its great to see other Mums, swapping advice and stuff.

[Moby-Dick]

although dads only would give Angeleyes some much deserved time with her DS, something that we coudl both take her to would help

[shelley bda]

The centres are usually open during school hours. The Centres around here also do the Dads groups on a Saturday, maybe pop along one weekend and ask whats available

[Lee H]

Yes

Sharon my girlfriend takes Hayden down to the surestart centre near our home about 3 times a week for various activities. It gets them both out of the house and it also helps develop Haydens social skills as she's learning to play with others.

I've not been to a dads group on a Sat myself as yet as I've been busy atm moving this weekend, but I plan to after the christmas period

[angeleyes]

It's still that same problem i have with everything. All the activities are organised within school hours which is great for mum's that are at home and possibly have more than one child, but i work and there is nothing out there for me to take my little one to. I've got no support group of new mum's around me because i chose to go back to work.

The only thing we have found so far that i can take her to is swimming lessons on a Sunday morning, other than that there is nothing and i can't ask my childminder to take her along as she isn't the only child she has that is under school age.

[Sair33]

Yes!! Used them quite a bit and I have to say was very impressed. The latest one to start near us is a toddler group from 9 - 1130am and has some great toys, they stop for a snack of fresh fruit part way through (tons of grapes, orange segments, banana, pear etc) and have singing at the end.
Thumbs up from me