July 31, 2007

Childcare Sufficiency

Section 11 of the 2006 Childcare Act places the duty on Local Authorities to undertake a Childcare Sufficiency assessment, within one year of this duty coming into force. The QA Research Report on the demand-side survey is available here for reading.

A questionnaire was drawn up to collect the data to map the supply of childminding places in Gateshead. A questionnaire was also devised for all group childcare providers and was administered by an Early Years and Childcare Officer who visited all of the providers. QA Research were commissioned to undertake the demand-side survey. The supply side data is still being collected and will be put onto the weblog in September.

To read the Research Report click here Download file (PDF File 2.06MB)

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 9:08 AM | Comments (0)

July 25, 2007

Time Out

Time Out is a new 5-week course for parents run by Bede Sure Start Children's Centre and Gateshead Supporting Children.

This course will run weekly for 5 consecutive weeks, starting 13 September 2007, and will offer healthy eating advice, health and wellbeing, arts and crafts, pamper sessions and a trip to Gateshead Stadium.

To book a place please call Abigail Wilson on (0191) 478 6449. Crèche places are very limited and must be booked in advance.

Click here Download file (Word Doc 1.6MB) to see a flyer.

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 8:27 AM | Comments (0)

July 24, 2007

Birtley Children's Centre @ Barley Mow

Birtley Children's Centre @ Barley Mow is seeking to secure an independent provider to open and manage a childcare service on the Children's Centre site. The Children's Centre will provide services for families within the local area who have children under 5 years of age.

Birtley Children's Centre @ Barley Mow is looking to secure a childcare provider to cater for children from 0 to 5 years of age in a full day-care provision. The provider will work in partnership with the Children's Centre and school to improve outcomes for children and their families. Barley Mow Primary School currently offers nursery education for 60 children aged from 3 to 5 years and partnership working with the school will be essential to provide a seamless package of care and education for those children for whom this is a requirement. The opening time will need to be flexible to meet the needs of families but at the least be from 8am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. There is potential for 45 childcare places to be registered within the Children's Centre premises.

Birtley Children Centre is to be situated on the current Barley Mow Primary School site. The location of which has excellent road links with the A1M and local road links with Gateshead, Newcastle, Chester-le-Street and Washington. The existing school premises consist of three separate buildings - the former Infants, Juniors and the existing school nursery. As from September 2007 the entire primary school will be relocated within the current key stage 2 site. The school nursery will remain as it is currently offering 60 sessional nursery education places. The daycare nursery will be located adjacent to the school nursery and share an extended outdoor learning environment. Refurbishment of the premises is to be undertaken in order to make best use of the space available. This will include the provision of suitable accommodation to meet the needs of the daycare facility e.g. sufficient floor play area, kitchen, laundry etc.

For an application form please click here Download file (Word Doc 70.5KB). For further information and guidance please click here Download file (Word Doc 29KB) and here Download file (Word Doc 20.5KB).

If you would like to discuss this further please contact Julie Robertshaw, Business Support Officer, on (0191) 433 8517.

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 4:05 PM | Comments (0)

July 23, 2007

July News Bulletin Published

The July News Bulletin from the Early Years and Childcare Service has been published.

To read the News Bulletin please click here Download Word Document (76.5KB)

Posted by Michael Hunt at 3:56 PM | Comments (0)

Early Arts North East e-bulletin Summer 2007

Please find attached the latest e-bulletin from Early Arts North East.

You can subscribe free of charge to this e-bulletin by sending an email to anna@earlyartsnortheast.org
To view the e-bulletin please click here Download file (PDF File 384KB)

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 3:18 PM | Comments (0)

July 19, 2007

High Fell Sure Start Children's Centre Treasure Hunt

Come along to our Treasure Hunt at Saltwell Park on Wednesday 8th August 2007.

Meet at the Saltwell Park Junior Playrgound at 10.00am. Everyone is welcome!

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)

July 16, 2007

Summer Events at Bede and Felling Sure Start Children's Centres

A wide range of events have been arranged by Bede and Felling Sure Start Children's Centres to take place over the summer.

For further information on these events please click here Download file (Word Doc 500KB) and here Download file (Word Doc 59KB)

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 8:34 AM | Comments (0)

July 13, 2007

More Summer Events with Deckham Sure Start Children's Centre

Further events have been organised to take place in August and early September.

Wednesday 1st August 2007
Family trip to South Shields with Deckham and Felling Children's Centres
Come and join us for a fun family day out at the seaside.
Meet at the Elgin Centre for a 10am start.

Sunday 2nd September 2007
Summer Fun Run
11am start. Come and take part in our fun run around the local area then come back to The Elgin Centre for a disco, 12 - 2pm.
Application forms are available from Reception.

For more information please contact Deckham Children's Centre at The Elgin Centre on 0191 4336300.

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 1:34 PM | Comments (0)

solution finder Management Report

The latest solution finder quarterly management report has been produced.

The report gives up to date information on number of services, number of searches made and other relevant updates.

Click here to view the report - Download Word Document (31.0KB)

Posted by Michael Hunt at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)

July 10, 2007

Childline Pedal Push with High Fell Sure Start Children's Centre

Come along to our Childline Pedal Push on Tuesday 31st July from 10:30am to 1:30pm at Tynemouth Beach.

All the money raised will go to Childline. Everyone welcome!

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 8:11 AM | Comments (0)

July 9, 2007

July News Bulletin Deadline

The deadline for copy for the July edition of the Early Years and Childcare Service News Bulletin is Monday 16 July 2007.

Suggestions for articles to be sent to Michael Hunt at michaelhunt@gateshead.gov.uk or alternatively post a comment on this Weblog.

Posted by Michael Hunt at 8:46 AM | Comments (0)

July 6, 2007

Highfield Sure Start Children's Centre Events

A number of new activities are taking place at Highfield Sure Start Children's Centre.

Baby and Toddler Group
Run by parent volunteers our group is for babies, toddlers and their parents / carers. Activities include messy play, arts and crafts, healthy snack time and lots more fun.

This takes place on Mondays from 12.15pm - 2.15pm and now on a Friday from 12.00 - 1.50pm at Highfield Community Centre and costs £1 per child over 1 year.

Baby Social
For parents / carers with children aged 0 - 12months. Meet other parents / carers get support and advice. Activities include arts and crafts, treasure baskets, singing and lots more!

Every Thursday from 1.30 - 3.30pm at Highfield Community Centre.

Coffee Morning at Highfield / St. Joseph's Primary School every Monday
Everyone welcome for free tea, coffee and juice.
Every Monday from 9.00 - 10.00am at Highfield St. Joseph's Primary School.

For more information on all of these activites please contact Amy Francis or Jacqui Grimes on 01207 549759

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 8:28 AM | Comments (0)

July 4, 2007

Play Safe in the Community with High Fell Sure Start Children's Centre

Wednesday 25 July 2007 at Wrekenton Methodist Church.

This is an open event for the community. Services involved include the local Police, Fire Brigade, road safety, lifeguards, Community Health Team , Sun Safety, Basic First Aid, local wardens and much more.

Date: 25 July 2007
Time: 10.30am - 1.30pm

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 8:31 AM | Comments (0)

Summer Trips with Chopwell and Highfield Sure Start Children's Centres

See our list of fantastic trips for Summer 2007 available to families with children under 5. Book soon to avoid disappointment.

Chester le Street Park
Thursday 26th July 2007
Tickets go on sale the 3rd of July, £1.00 each for adults and children.

South Shields
Thursday 9th August 2007
Tickets go on sale the 10th of July, £1.00 each for adults and children.

Hall Hill Farm
Thursday 23rd August 2007
Tickets go on sale the 17th of July.
Admission Prices:Children £3.50 (under 3's free) Adults £4.50
Coach Prices: £1.00 each for adults and children.

To book tickets please call into Chopwell Sure Start Children's Centre (Chopwell Community Office) or Highfield Sure Start Children's Centre (Highfield Community Centre).

If you require any further information on any of the trips, costs or where to book please contact:
Jacqui Grimes, Highfield Children's Centre 01207 549 759
Rachel Nesbitt, Chopwell Children's Centre 07766 526 898

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 8:17 AM | Comments (0)

July Events at Chopwell Sure Start Children's Centre

Are you a parent with a child under 5 years of age? If so then why not come along to our July events and have fun with your child?

Funtime Fridays at Chopwell Primary School (Term Time Only)
9.00am - 11.00am

Play activities, arts and crafts, information and advice and free refreshments.

For more information please contact Tammy Archer, Parent Outreach Worker, on 07795 238 982.

Messy Playday at Chopwell Community Centre
Friday 27th July 2007
10.00am - 12.00pm

Glue and stick, playdough, messy spaghetti and lots more.

For more information please contact Rachel Nesbitt, Information Assistant, on 07766 526 898.

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 8:06 AM | Comments (0)

July 2, 2007

Summer Holiday Activities at Deckham Sure Start Children's Centre

A number of activities will be taking place throughout July and August for families of children under five.

Wednesday 25th July 2007
Beach Party
Activities for the family with a summer theme.
10.00am - 3.00pm

Wednesday 8th August 2007
Summer Fayre
Fun activities for all the family, soft play, bouncy castle, raffles, displays and much more!
10.00am - 3.00pm

Wednesday 22nd August 2007
Family Fun Day
Fun activities for all the family, soft play, bouncy castle, raffles, displays.
10.00am - 3.00pm

For more information please contact Deckham Children's Centre at The Elgin Centre on 0191 433 6300

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 4:06 PM | Comments (0)