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September 29, 2006
Children's Centre Steering and Reference Group Meetings
Dates for High Fell, Leam Lane and Matov Children's Centre Steering and Reference Group autumn meetings have been announced.
Leam Lane Children's Centre - 11 October 2006
For Agenda please click here Download file (Word Doc 32.0KB)
High Fell Children's Centre - 12 October 2006
For Agenda please click here Download file (Word Doc 32.0KB)
Matov Children's Centre - 17 October 2006
For Agenda please click here Download file (Word Doc 32.0KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2006
September News Bulletin Published
The September News Bulletin has been published today.
To read the News Bulletin please click here Download file (Word Document 46.0KB)
For further information regarding your Advisory Teachers please click here Download file (Word Document 33.0KB)
For further information regarding Funky Monkey and the Juicy Fruits please click here View image (JPEG Image 25.1KB) and here View image
(JPEG Image 39.6KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 9:42 AM | Comments (2)
September 19, 2006
Gateshead Early Years and Childcare Partnership and Exec Dates Announced
Dates of forthcoming meetings are as follows: -
Early Years and Childcare Partnership
Wednesday 4 October 2006, 12.00 - 2.00pm, Dryden Professional Development Centre
Early Years and Childcare Exec
Wednesday 8 November 2006, 12.00 - 2.00pm, Dryden Professional Development Centre
Agendas and minutes to follow
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 2:48 PM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2006
Advice on planning for a human influenza pandemic
This guidance is to assist childcare and early years settings in planning for a human flu pandemic.
Experts advise that a further flu pandemic is inevitable, but cannot say when it will happen. When it happens, it is expected to spread rapidly to all areas of the UK and have a significant impact. Depending on the severity of the pandemic, 25-50% of the population may be become ill at some stage during one or more waves, each lasting 3-4 months, and 50,000 - 700,000 more people than usual may die.
To read the guidance please download one of the following versions -
Download Full Guidance (1.05MB)
Posted by Michael Hunt at 1:55 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2006
Bede Children's Centre Open Day
Bede Children's Centre's Open Day will take place Friday 15 September 2006, 11.00am - 3.00pm.
Events include Face Painting, Music and Movement, Photo Memories, Sensory Session, Craft Session, Baby Massage and buffet.
Come along to:
Bede Children's Centre
Old Fold Road
Gateshead
NE10 0DJ
For further information please call (0191) 4335633 or email bedeCC@gateshead.gov.uk
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 1:18 PM | Comments (1)
September 8, 2006
Funding Opportunities
Here is some information regarding funding opportunities for young people between the ages of 11 and 25.
If you require any further information please click on the link in the document attached.
Download file (Word Doc 33KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 9:14 AM | Comments (0)
September News Bulletin Deadline
The deadline for copy for the September edition of the Early Years and Childcare Service News Bulletin is Thursday 14 September 2006.
Suggestions for articles to be sent to Michael Hunt at michaelhunt@gateshead.gov.uk or alternatively post a comment on this Weblog.
The News Bulletin will be posted on the Weblog on Thursday 21 September 2006.
Posted by Michael Hunt at 8:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 5, 2006
What would you like to see on this weblog?
The weblog has been up and running for about 2 months now and there has been a variety of articles posted. But what would you like to see on this blog?
Do you want to see more information on events in Children's Centres?
More news stories from the service?
Let us know what you would like to see on this weblog or any suggestions you may have by posting a comment on the blog.
Posted by Michael Hunt at 10:18 AM | Comments (2)
September 1, 2006
Who's Who - Jan Batchelor
Head of Centre - Bensham / St. Chad's Children's Centre
I joined Gateshead Council as Head of Centre for Bensham/ St Chad’s Children's Centre in April 2006. As this is a new Children's Centre I am working with a small team of staff to ensure that there is plenty on offer in the local community to support children under 5 and their families.
I spent most of my childhood in Gateshead and my parents still live here, however I have lived in London for many years, working as a primary school teacher, headteacher and school advisor. I now work part-time and spend the rest of the week looking after my young son, James.
Click here for a photo View image (JPEG 4.91KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 1:54 PM | Comments (0)
Who's Who - Maggie Martin
Head of Centre - Chopwell and Highfield Children's Centres
My background is predominantly in Nursery Nursing having completed my NNEB Diploma with distinction grade in June 1998. Through recent study with The Open University I have successfully completed the Professional Diploma in Management. I have recently been accepted on to the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership which begins this September.
Since qualifying as a Nursery Nurse I have undertaken a number of roles including working as a Nursery Nurse in a school, a Special Educational Needs Assistant, Nursery Officer in day care, Health Development Worker and a Community Participation Co-ordinator for a Sure Start Local Programme.
I started work for Gateshead Local Authority in September 2004 as Children’s Centre Co-ordinator. My role was to develop Chopwell and Highfield Children’s Centres. In January 2006 I was successfully appointed as Head of Centre for the Children’s Centres I had developed.
Click here for a photo View image (JPEG 5.08KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 1:52 PM | Comments (0)
Who's Who - Gillian Dodds
Head of Centre - Leam Lane Children's Centre
I am currently the Head of Centre for Leam Lane Children’s Centre and came into position in May 2003. The Centre was originally a Sure Start Local Programme before the transition to Children's Centre. My previous role was as a Development Officer within Early Years whereby I had responsibility for the creation and sustainability of childcare places working with the private and voluntary sector. The main area of my current role is to manage a multi-agency staff team along with the co-ordination of services into the Children’s Centre.
Click here for a photo View image (JPEG 3.49KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 1:49 PM | Comments (0)
Who's Who - Beverley Coombs
Head of Centre - Leam Lane and High Fell Children's Centre
I have been in the position of Head of Centre for Leam Lane and High Fell Children Centre since May 2003. Prior to taking up this post I was employed within Early Years as a Development Officer where a key area of my role was the creation and sustainability of Childcare places in line with government agenda.
In my current role as Head of Centre I am responsible for the management and co-ordination of multi-agency staff and Core Offer services into the Children Centre including health, integrated childcare and education and Family Support and outreach services.
Click here for a photo View image (JPEG 3.48KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 1:36 PM | Comments (0)
Who's Who - Michael Hunt
Communications and Information Manager
I am the Communications and Information Manager for the Early Years and Childcare Service based at the Dryden Centre. My role is to develop, implement and maintain effective communication, marketing and information strategies across the service.
Within my role I have responsibility for the service Weblog and also solution finder - an online directory of services and solutions for children, young people and families.
I was appointed to my current role in October 2004 but prior to this I have had various roles in Gateshead Council.....in May 1993 I started my journey at the Public Works Department filling various roles from data entry clerk, bonus payments clerk and tea boy. In September 1994 I moved to the former Education Department as a Student Awards Clerk assisting in the process of student grants and school bus passes. In March 2005, I was transferred with Education to the Accounts and Supplies Section where I worked for 5 1/2 years processing orders and invoices for the department.
I moved to the Early Years and Childcare Service in December 2000 and worked as admin officer until I was appointed to my current role.
Click here for a photo View image (JPEG 4.45KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 1:31 PM | Comments (0)
Who's Who - Sue Harrop
Sue Harrop, Early Years and Childcare Deputy Manager
I am responsible for ensuring that the key requirements of the Government's 10 Year Childcare Strategy are met in Gateshead. I work closely with the Manager of the Service and the Heads of Centre for Gateshead Children's Centres.
I have worked for local government for 8 years supporting the Government's Early Years and Childcare Strategy and have a particular interest in training, equality of opportunity and partnership working.
Click here for a photo View image (JPEG 5.52KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 11:12 AM | Comments (0)
Who's Who - Pam Stephens
Early Years and Childcare Manager
I have been the Early Years and Childcare Manager since 1998. I am responsible for the strategic development of Early Years and Childcare Services across Gateshead and have management responsibility for around 190 staff and 16 Children’s Centres. My background is in teaching followed by a wide variety of experience in research, developing and delivering adult learning materials such as the crèche certificate, community development, strategic neighbourhood management and policy development.
Click here for a photo View image (JPEG 3.93KB)
Posted by Ross Glasgow at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)