Rickmansworth Children's Centre

What is a Children's Centre?

Children's Centres integrate high-quality services for children aged 0-4 years and their families. They aim to give every child the best start in life and provide places where children under five can get involved in a range of play and learning activities. Each centre is different and responds to the needs of the community it serves. The range of core services that will be offered include:

• Early Years - Good quality early years provision (minimum 10 hours per day, 5 days per week, 48 weeks a year for those centres that offer childcare).
• Inclusion - Support for all children and parents including those with additional needs.
• Parents - Parent support including toy libraries, parent and toddler groups and parenting programmes.
• Childminding - A base for a childminding network and/or childminding group.
• Employment Support - Effective links with Jobcentre Plus, local training providers, further and higher education providers.
• Outreach - Services in local neighbourhoods and home visiting.
• Health - Child and family health services, including antenatal and postnatal services.
• Information - Local advice and information for parents on a range of services, i.e. benefits, childcare and support.

• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a positive contribution
• Achieve economic wellbeing