1. family and parenting
2. children

January – March 2015
A warm welcome
to ABC Children’s
Centre
Welcome to our children’s centre, which
offers the best start in life for every child
and their family. We are very proud of our
reputation as an excellent quality, warm and
friendly centre where children under five get
involved in a wide range of play and early
learning activities helping them reach their
potential as confident, happy and capable
young people.
We love to share our achievements with our
families and last term we had some fantastic
results:
● We have been awarded our Families
● Our volunteers held a wonderful Coffee
Morning in September at our centre
in The Mall in aid of raising money for
MacMillan Cancer Care. We raised
£200, and would like to say a huge thank
you to everyone who came and gave a
donation!
● The High Town Fun Day we ran during
October Half Term was a huge success!
We estimate a total of over 350 people
attended the day! The team were thrilled
with how it all went and we cannot wait to
run the next one in Farley!
First Quality Award which recognises
children’s centres that demonstrate
excellence in providing information,
advice and assistance to local families.
We have two new members
of the team that we would
like to welcome on board:
Kauser, our new Support
Assistant and Vicki,
our new Administrator.
Kauser
Baby Yoga
NEW COURSE
● From
3 months
to pre-crawling
Baby yoga helps you to attune to your
baby’s needs. It helps calm and stimulate
them and is beneficial for all babies.
Baby Yoga includes a wide range of different
practices that can be combined to suit the
needs of each baby or toddler.
You don’t need to practice yoga or even
know anything about yoga to get started.
Read Vicki’s
success story
on page 5
Vicki
For available courses and booking
call 01582 413552 option 7 or speak
to a member of staff.
Visit our website!
abcchildrenscentre.co.uk
Search for ABC Children’s
Centre on Facebook or scan
the QR code below from your
smartphone!
We update our
facebook page on a
regular basis with
information and changes
to our programme.
To keep up to date
search for ABC
Children’s Centre on facebook or scan the
QR code below from your smartphone.
● Keep
up to date on new
activities and useful
information.
● Now
including the
Toy Library Catalogue
www.facebook.com/abcluton
Membership
cards
Parents are being issued with
membership cards that will be used
to sign families in electronically.
These can now be used at
all of our sites
If you DO NOT want
your child’s photograph
taken during the session,
please make them wear a
‘no photos’ wristband.
Come and have your say….
and you could be one of these faces
Interested in making a positive contribution
to your community?
● Come along and be involved in the life of
your local Children’s Centre
●
Our parents and volunteers will be meeting on
Friday 27th February 2015
● 10.00am
● ABC Children’s Centre at The Mall
●
Vicki Beckwith has been
volunteering at ABC
Children’s Centre…
Here is her story
I started coming to the
ABC Children’s Centre
when my daughter was
only a few months old.
Being an older mum, all
my friends were at work
with their children at
school so I didn’t know
any mums with babies.
I walked past Chapel Street Nursery &
Children’s Centre most days and saw the
posters for baby group. I decided to give it a
try… and it was the best thing we ever did.
As soon as I walked in I noticed the friendly
and comfortable atmosphere straightaway.
There were mums and babies of all ages and
everybody was so welcoming. The staff
were great and welcomed me and my
daughter with open arms.
It was great to get out and have a chat with
other mums while my daughter was having
a lovely time interacting with other children
and playing with new toys and books. Soon I
was coming to more weekly sessions. There
are different activities during the week. My
daughter especially loved “Charlie Music
Time”.
Last year there was an opportunity for some
of the mums to become volunteers in some of
our stay and play groups. I thought this would
be a great chance to learn some new skills
and build my confidence. I enjoy it so much.
I am now looking forward to my next
challenge, ABC have employed me and I
started work at Chapel Street. I work on a
part-time basis doing administration.
If I didn’t pop in with my daughter that day
three years ago I would have missed out on
so many opportunities!
Become an ABC Volunteer
Want to
gain work
experience for
your future
career?
ABC Volunteers are required to support our
stay and play sessions across all sites.
We are looking for caring, flexible and reliable people to
assist us during our stay and play sessions. Accredited and
non-accredited training will be provided as well as a uniform
and on-going mentoring and support.
To register an interest in becoming an ABC Volunteer please
call 01582 413 552 option 7, speak to a member of staff
or e-mail us on info@abcchildrenscentre.co.uk.
Interested in
making a positive
contribution
to your
community?
We will be holding an information event and induction training
on 23rd January, 30th January and 6th February
from 10am – 12pm at ABC at The Mall for everyone
who has registered an interest.
You must attend all three of the above sessions
before we can offer you a volunteering position.
No crèche facilities available
Regular Weekly Activities at ABC Children’s Centre
Monday
Activity T
Stay & Play
Venue:
ABC at Chapel Street
Time:
9.30am – 11.00am
Sing and Sign Drop-in (£2.50 per child)
Venue:
ABC at Park Town
Time:
9.30am – 10.15am
(children over 20 months)
Time:
10.30am – 11.30am (for babies)
Wednesday
Stay and Play
Venue: ABC at St. Margaret’s of Scotland
Catholic Primary School
Time:
8.30am – 10.00am
Messy Time
Venue:
ABC at The Mall
Stay and Play
Time:
10.00am – 12.00pm
Venue: ABC at St Matthew’s Primary School
Baby Feeding Drop-in Clinic
Venue:
ABC at Park Town
Time:
1.00pm – 4.00pm
Time:
8.45am – 10.30am
Child Minder Drop In
Venue: ABC at Chapel Street
Time:
9.30am – 11.00am
Owl Babies (0 – Toddlers)
Baby Talk (0 – 18 months)
Venue:St Matthew’s Primary School
Venue: ABC at Park Town
Time:
Time:
2.00pm – 3.15pm
Tuesday
9.30am – 11.00am
Stay and Play
Venue: ABC at The Mall
Time:
10.00am – 2.30pm
Stay and Play (0 – 5 years)
Venue:
ABC at St Matthews Primary School
Child Health Clinic
Time:
8.45am – 10.30am
Venue: ABC at Chapel Street
Messy Time
Venue:ABC at Chapel Street
Time:
9.30am – 11.00am
Time:
1.30pm – 3.00pm
Child Health Clinic
Venue: Hightown Community Sports & Arts Centre
Time:
1.00pm – 2.30pm
Baby Talk (0 – 18 months)
New B’s Café
Venue:
ABC at Whipperley
Venue: ABC at The Mall
Time:
10.00am – 11.30am
Time:
12.15pm – 2.00pm
Stay and Play (0 – 5 years)
Venue:
ABC at Park Town
Time:
1.30pm – 3.00pm
The Mall 01582 457 006
Park Town 01582 482 957
3G-4G The Gallery
Luton LU1 2TW
Bailey Street
Luton LU1 3DU
Child Health Clinic
Venue:
ABC at Park Town
Time: 9.15am – 11.00am
Thursday
Charlie Music Time
Venue:
ABC at St Paul’s Church
One Stop Job Shop
Time:
9.30am – 10.15am
Venue: ABC at St Margaret’s of Scotland
Catholic Primary School
Stay and Play
Time:
8.30am – 10.30am (2nd & 4th Venue:
ABC at The Mall
Thursday of each month)
Time:
10.00am – 2.30pm
One Stop Job Shop
Charlie Music Time
Venue: ABC at St Matthew’s Primary School
Venue:
ABC at The Mall
Time:
9.00am – 11.00am (1st and 3rd Time: 11.00am – 11.45am
Thursday of each month)
Stay and Play
Baby Talk (0 - 18 Months)
Venue:
ABC at Whipperley
Venue: ABC at Chapel Street
Time:
1.30pm – 3.00pm
Time:
9.30am – 11.00am
Messy Time
Messy Time
Venue:
ABC at Park Town
Venue: ABC at Whipperley
Time:
1.30pm – 3.00pm
Time
9.00am – 10.30am
Child Health Clinic
Venue: ABC at Whipperley
Time:
1.30pm – 3.00pm
Stay and Play
Venue: ABC at St Matthew’s Primary School
Time:
2.00pm – 3.10pm
Saturday
Family Saturdays
Venue:ABC at The Mall
Time:
10.00am – 12.00pm
Whipperley 01582 451 339
Chapel Street 01582 413 552
Whipperley Ring
Luton LU1 5QY
Russell Street
Luton LU1 5EA
Regular Weekly Activities at ABC Children’s Centre
Timetable
Friday
Baby PEEP
Baby Massage
ABC at The Mall
(Delivered with the children and
parents/carers)
Start Date: Thursday 15th January 2015
Time:
10.00am – 11.30am
No of weeks:5
ABC at The Mall
Start Date: Friday 16th January 2015
Time:
1.00pm – 2.30pm
No of weeks:5
Cost:£5.00
Booking Required: Call 01582 413 552
option 7 or speak to a member of staff
Booking Required: Call 01582 413 552
option 7 or speak to a member of staff
Fun with Food
Triple P
Delivered in partnership with
Luton Adult Education
ABC at The Mall (Crèche provided)
Start Date: Tuesday 27th January 2015
Time:
9.30am – 11.30am
No of weeks:6 (excl Half Term)
ABC at Park Town (crèche provided)
Start Date: Thursday 22nd January 2015
Time:
9.15am – 11.00am
No of weeks:7 (excl Half Term)
Booking Required: Call Centre Direct
on 01582 482 957
Booking Required: Call 01582 413 552
option 7 or speak to a member of staff
Fun with Food
Baby Massage
ABC at Whipperley
(Delivered with the children and
parents/carers)
Start Date: Friday 30th January 2015
Time:
10.00am – 11.30am
No of weeks:6 (excl Half Term)
ABC at Chapel Street
Start Date: Tuesday 24th February 2015
Time:
1.00pm – 2.30pm
No of weeks:5
Cost:£5.00
Booking Required: Call 01582 413 552
option 7 or speak to a member of staff
Booking Required: Call 01582 413 552
option 7 or speak to a member of staff
PEEP for 1’s
Baby Yoga
ABC at The Mall
(Delivered with the children
and parents/carers)
Start Date: Thursday 26th February 2015
Time:
10.00am – 11.30am
No of weeks:5
ABC at The Mall
Start Date: Friday 27th February 2015
Time:
1.00pm – 2.30pm
No of weeks:5
Cost:£5.00
Booking Required: Call 01582 413 552
option 7 or speak to a member of staff
Booking Required: Call 01582 413 552
option 7 or speak to a member of staff
Charlie Music Time
For babies, toddlers and
grown-ups to enjoy rhymes,
music and stories together.
Visit us at
ABC at The Mall
Every Wednesday
ABC at St Pauls Church
Start Date: Every Friday
Time:
9.30am - 10.15am
12.15pm – 2.00pm
Come and feed your baby
in our friendly cafe!
ABC at The Mall
Start Date: Every Friday
Time:
11.00am - 11.45am
ABC Toy Library
The toy library is a service we offer to all our
families, it allows you to borrow toys and activities
to enjoy together at home and support you to
develop a home learning environment.
The Toy Library locations and times:
ABC Children’s Centre at
Chapel Street in Stay and Play
Mondays 10.30-11.00
St Matthews Primary School
in Stay and Play
Tuesdays 10.00-10.30
ABC Children’s Centre at
Park Town in Stay and Play
Tuesdays 2.30-3.00
ABC Children’s Centre
at The Mall in Stay
and Play
Wednesdays 12.30-1.00
Hatters Children’s Centre at
Dallow Road in Stay and Play
Thursdays 2.30-3.15
ABC Children’s Centre at
Whipperley in Stay and Play
Fridays 2.30-3.00
Introducing our Outreach Team who help and support
families in our area with a wide variety of needs
Jacky Shore
Lori Holton
Kirsty Groom
Suzanne Gfrarer
Deputy Manager –
Safeguarding and
Targeted
Outreach Worker
for High Town Ward
Outreach Worker
for Farley Ward
Outreach Worker for
South Ward
07738 856 963
07718 117 162
07795 061 487
07718 117 163
‘The outreach worker supported
me when I had to leave my
home due to domestic violence.’
‘She gave the confidence to start
attending groups and to make
new friends which helped my
child to make friends too.’
‘The outreach worker showed
me how to play with my child
using things within my home
and not expensive toys.’
‘The outreach
worker helped me
fill in forms and
apply for my two
year old to go to
nursery.’
‘My outreach worker
referred me for housing
advice – I have now
found a house.’
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