Children's centres offer services for children and families, providing early years education and childcare, health services and family support, all under one roof. The warm and welcoming atmosphere provide services that enable families to:
- Be healthy;
- Stay safe;
- Enjoy and achieve;
- Make a positive contribution;
- Achieve economic well-being.
The centres act as base for childminder networks and a link to other day care provision, out of school clubs and extended schools. They also have links with local training and education providers, Jobcentre Plus, and the Early Years Learning and Childcare team.
The children's centres in Calderdale are managed by independent providers:
-
North Halifax Partnership (NHP)
- Lower Valley - covering: Brighouse, Rastrick, Elland, Holywell Green and Greetland.
- North and East Halifax - covering: Mixenden, Pellon, Illingworth, Lee Mount, Ovenden, Northowram and Shelf.
-
Halifax Opportunities Trust (HOT)
- Upper Valley - covering: Todmorden, Cornholme, Hebden Bridge, Luddendenfoot, Sowerby Bridge, Ripponden and Rishworth.
- West and Central Halifax - covering: King Cross, Queens Road, Pellon, Warley, Southowram, Boothtown and Siddal.
The Council work closely with NHP and HOT, and with all the staff who provide a quality Children's centre and family support service across Calderdale.
The future of Children's Centres service
Our vision is that all children in Calderdale are happy, healthy, safe, and successful and Calderdale is a child-friendly borough and all children in Calderdale will:
- Start healthy and stay healthy
- Be safe at home, in school and in the community
- Enjoy learning and achieve their best
- Develop social skills and take part in activities
Children’s Centre Services support families from pregnancy until a child reaches five years of age. They work with local midwives, GP’s, health visitors, nurseries and community groups to make sure families get the support they need. Children’s centre services provide early year’s education and childcare, health services and family support.
Calderdale’s Children’s Centre Services are a valued resource for our communities supporting just over 5000 children aged up to five years and their families across the borough. It is an important service and one that the council wants to protect.
In light of the on-going funding cuts from central Government, the council has had to look at how the service is delivered across the borough to ensure it can operate within the budget available, whilst maintaining the most valued services and support.
Between 29th May and 26th June 2018 the council carried out a consultation with the people using the services and what support and facilities they most valued. We received responses from over 1000 people.
Children's Centres services consultation results report [PDF 554KB]- Children's Centres services consultation results report ‘At a glance’ [PDF 460KB]
The next step in the process of making the necessary savings whilst maintaining the same standard of service delivery is to look at how and where these valued services should be delivered.
The Cabinet decision to re-commission Calderdale’s Children’s Centre Services was made on 30th July 2018. See meeting minutes.
Please see the update following the decision: Children's Centre Update [PDF 260KB].
For more information please contact Julia Clough, Commissioning Project Coordinator, Calderdale Council by email: julia.clough@calderdale.gov.uk or Tel: 01422 392028