feast of services at new Sure Start Children's Centre

Added: 28/04/2008
Category: Norfolk County Council

Youngsters in Litcham will be cooking up a treat as they celebrate the creation of a new £700,000 SureStart Children's Centre.

Michelin starred chef Galton Blackiston will be working with children at the centre's teaching kitchen as the official opening of the centre takes place on Friday 25 April.

Norfolk County Council has led the development of the centre, in partnership with Litcham Primary School. It caters for children under five and their families and offers childcare, health provision and support from Job Centre Plus.

The building has been designed by NPS Property Consultants, with Mansells the construction partner.

Those attending the opening will be able to contribute to the Children's Centre's sign by making their mark on a tile, which will then be fired and placed on the outside wall of the nursery, to serve as a lasting memory of the day.

There will also be canvasses at the centre for visitors to paint works of art for the centre.

Keith Simpson MP will also attend the event and will cut a specially made cake to mark the centre's opening.

The celebration will run from 10am to noon and throughout the two hours parents will be able to share their views on how the centre should develop.

Pam Arrowsmith, Centre Manager, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for parents and children in the area to become part of the team that make decisions for the centre.

“The centre is aimed at improving outcomes for families and parents are the best people to tell us about the needs of their family. We are looking forward to developing the centre into a real hub for the community.”

Norfolk County Council is responsible for the delivery of SureStart Children's Centres in the county and has consulted with parents, carers and key partners in the public and voluntary sector, to see where centres should be available.

There are now 36 Children's Centres in the county, with plans to develop another 15 by 2011.

Rosalie Monbiot, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: “Children's Centres are wonderful resources for the whole family bringing together a range of services under one roof.

They are aimed at raising aspirations and improving life chances for children in Norfolk and are already proving a success across the county.

“It is great that the whole community is able to contribute to the sign at Litcham as this centre really is for everyone living in the local area. I am sure parents, carers and children will benefit from the many services available at the centre for many years to come.”