Successes So Far

In Phase 1 of the Government's Children's Centre initiative, Bedfordshire was set the target of reaching (the number of children able to access Children's Centre services) 1,680 children and creating 112 new Children's Centre childcare places by March 2006.

During Phase 1 the Centres had to be situated within the 20% most disadvantaged wards and offer a core set of services including:

• Early education integrated with childcare
• Family support and outreach to parents
• Child and family health services.

The Centres act as a hub within the community for parents and children under 5 years of age with links into local services including health, training, Job Centre Plus and Inform 0-19 services.

By the end of Phase 1 of the Government's Children's Centre agenda 2004-2006, seven Children's Centres were set up, the following Centres are open and serving local families:

Cauldwell Children's Centre
Edward Road
Bedford
MK42 9DR

Tel: (01234) 269512
Email: martyn.lee@surestartcauldwell.co.uk|
Goldington Children's Centre
Centre Director - Kate Martinow
28-30 Meadway
Bedford
MK41 9HU

Tel: (01234) 353512
Email: goldingtonfamilycentre@btinternet.com

|Lawns Early Excellence and Children's Centre
Centre Manager - Karen Navesey
The Baulk
Biggleswade
SG18 0PT

Tel: (01767) 312312
Email: knavesey@thelawnseec.beds.sch.uk

|Queens Park Neighbourhood Centre
Centre Manager - Jo Burnett
Marlborough Road
Bedford
MK40 4LE

Tel: (01234) 276744
Email: jo.burnett@bedscc.gov.uk

|Eastcotts Children's Centre
Centre Manager - Clare Jolly
Canberra Road
Shortstown
Bedford
MK42 0UZ

Tel: (01234) 743731 / 743217
Email: clare.jolly@bedscc.gov.uk
|
Kingsbrook Children's Centre
Centre Co-ordinator - Martin Lee
Stephenson Lower School
Canvin Way
Bedford
MK42 0HL

Tel: (01234) 316190
Email: martyn.lee@surestartcauldwell.co.uk|

Tithe Farm Neighbourhood Centre
Centre Manager - Marielle de Winter
Tithe Farm Road
Houghton Regis
LU5 5JB

Tel: (01582) 867692
Email: marielle.dewinter@bedfordshirepct.nhs.uk|