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What are children's centres?
Children's centres are places that provide information and offer
access to services for families with young children under five
years old in your local community.
Each centre offers a variety of services to cater for the needs
of the community, but will include the following:
- childcare provision
- early education integrated with childcare
- encouragement and support for parents thinking about training
or finding a new job
- ante-natel classes and baby clinics
- information and advice about breastfeeding, parenting and
speech and language
- family support and outreach to parents
- drop in sessions for parents and children
- services for children with special needs and disabilities
- links with voluntary agencies
- links with local schools.
Why do we have children's centres? What happens there? How do
they work? What do people say about them? Please have a look at our
Kent children's centres leaflet to find out, or you can find
more answers by viewing our
children's centres film on Kent TV.
How many children's centres are there in
Kent?
Children's centres have already opened in a number of locations
across Kent. In Phase 1 Kent had a target to develop 20 children's
centres to serve families living in areas of Kent that had the
greatest need.
In Phase 2 a further 52 centres are being developed and in Phase
3 there will be 30 more bringing the total to 102. On average, a
children's centre will serve a community with about 800 children
under five years old.
Where is my nearest children's centre?
If you are unsure where your
local children's centre is please get in touch. Call the Kent
Children's Information Service on 08000 32 32 30 or e-mail
childrenscentres@kent.gov.uk. |