Grovelands Sure Start Children’s Centre Sandy Lane, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 2EQ Telephone: 01932 229 313 Email: infocc@grovelands.surrey.sch.uk http://www.grovelandschildrenscentre.ik.org Thank you to everyone who helped raise £180 through the Waitrose Community Matters scheme. The money will go towards some high visibility tabards for children to wear when we are out on trips. Seriously, we want to know what you think about the Children’s Centre. We’d like your thoughts and suggestions on anything you feel is important, how we can improve our services, policies and procedures. In the play room of the Children’s Centre there is board, a collection of coloured sticky notes and a pen. Please feel free to jot down your thoughts and stick it… on our board. Grovelands Children’s Centre has launched a new website. The site is designed to inform you about the role of the Children’s Centre it’s groups and activities. It’s designer, Susie Mok, the centre’s Information & Advice Officer tells us; Please let us know what your thoughts are on our new motto & vision by leaving a comment on a sticky note and sticking it on the green notice board in the playroom at the Children’s Centre. We have just received 6 large boxes full of children’s clothes ages 0-5. Feel free to have a look and take anything you would like. Whether it’s for getting messy at our Play and Learn sessions or for something special, we are sure you will find the right thing. ‘The site contains a lot more information about the Children’s Centre and it’s policies. We have also added an enhanced calendar detailing up and coming events, activities and trips’. The front page will keep you up to date with any changes to groups and clinics. There are pages detailing the courses we are run, helpful contact numbers and the latest news from the Family Forum’. At the bottom of the front page there is a short survey so you can let us know what you think. www.grovelandschildrenscentre.ik.org. Our next Baby Weaning Courses are available in Sep & Nov. Please check our website for the dates. This course is aimed at babies approaching 26 weeks, guiding you through the transition from milk to solids. Please note that the Grovelands Children’s Centre closes from 26th – 30th August. Burhill & Weybridge Children’s Centre will be open as usual. A ten week course starting in September which encourages and supports parents and carers in the role of bringing up children of all ages, helping them to get the best out of family life. If you’re interested in booking a place please call or email us at the Centre. Nikki Price our volunteer for two years at the Walton Oak Play and Learn session has left to take a role outside of the Children’s Centre. A huge thanks to Nikki for all her hard work and we wish her every success in the future. Steve Saunders, who has been volunteering for us for 18 months has replaced Nikki at the group. Steve has lots of experience working with children and whilst volunteering for the Children’s Centre, Steve studied and qualified as a Teaching Assistant. We know Steve will be a huge help to Sam, parents and children who attend the Play and Learn session. We are always looking for volunteers particularly for our busy Play & Learn sessions on a Tuesday and Friday. We are also looking for parents who speaks additional languages to buddy parents with English as an additional language at the Play & Learn sessions and people to help conduct some market research in September. If you can help, please contact us at the Children’s Centre, or fill in a volunteer application form which is available on our new website or at the Centre. Andrea Abbott has been coming to Grovelands Children’s Centre for two and a half years now with her son James. Recently she became a volunteer for It is recommended that every child should have a health check between 24 – 36 months. At the moment parents in Walton receive a letter outlining the key stages of development for this age, offering a meeting with a Health Visitor if a parent has concerns. However, Walton Health Visitor Team and Grovelands Children’s Centre want to improve this. Eyullahemaye Henry-Miller, Centre Manger explains; ‘It is really important that we check the health and development of our two years olds. Whilst weight and height are essential, we know there are many other questions parents would like to ask. We need your help in shaping this service. We’d like to know what you would like or indeed would have liked if your child is older than two from a check of this kind.’ Let us know using the board or email the centre…… the centre, helping with the communications work, writing this newsletter, securing the Waitrose Community Matters fundraiser etc. After Andrea had James, she decided to put her career in communications on hold and become a full time mum. Andrea says ‘I love it, the chance to be with my boy in these early years is wonderful and I wouldn’t change it. But, I do miss using my brain and having a focus outside our home. For me, volunteering for the centre gives me that. ‘ The centre is always looking for volunteers, it might be existing skills you want to keep up or new ones you wish to develop, helping out at the centre could beneficial for you and the centre. If you think you can help, have a chat with a member of staff… Oh, and if you have any comments on the newsletter do stick them on the board or chat with Andrea at one of the sessions. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the Family Forum, whether in person at the meeting or through feedback. The Forum met on the 12th June to discuss your thoughts and as a result it has been agreed that Friday Play and Learn sessions will continue to start at 9.15am. The Centre will also look at adjusting the start time of the Wednesday afternoon session to work around nap times. More trips, theme days and activities you cried! Have a look at the new website for a list of exciting events to look forward to. West Wittering, Mill Cottage Farm, Fire Station visit, extra Jitterbugs and Play & Learn sessions to name just a few. Don’t forget, our events and Play and Learn sessions during the summer holidays are open to children 0-5. You also requested story time and we wondered if you would like to get involved with this. During August, we’d like to hand the role of story teller over to a few volunteer parents. If you could spare a few minutes at the end of the session to read to a group of children your child’s favourite book or indeed one of ours let us know. Full minutes from the latest Forum will be available shortly and as ever, let us have your thoughts on the points raised.