A new website bringing together a wealth of information about the activities taking place at key Norfolk Children’s Centres has been launched to make it easier for parents to find the services they need.
The microsite, available at www.surestartnorfolk.co.uk, provides details of all of the Sure Start Children’s Centres run across the county by NorfolkCommunity Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C). Colourful and bright, it uses a friendly cartoon caterpillar design to appeal to youngsters so that parents and children can look at the site together.
The website aims to make it easier for parents to find their closest centre, while also bringing together information about the services it provides which will help give their children the best possible start in life. It provides a full programme of activities, which have been designed to offer something for everyone and includes groups for new babies and parents, stay and play groups and sessions led by health visitors.
The website also breaks down activities into developmental stages, so that parents can find the best activities for their child. A variety of groups for expectant parents are also included so that mums and dads-to-be can build up their knowledge before they welcome their new arrival.
Information is also included about NCH&C’s nurseries, which are based in Children’s Centres in Thetford and Bowthorpe, in Norwich, and offer pre-school education, as well as health advice and general support for children aged between two and five.
Sian Larrington, who holds the portfolio for Sure Start Children’s Centres with NCH&C, said: “We are really pleased with this bright, eye-catching new microsite, which brings lots of essential information about our Children’s Centres into one place.
“It aims to make it easier for parents to find the right support to give their children the very best possible start in life, along with help to develop socially, emotionally and physically in their early learning, so they can flourish at home and later at school.
“Our Children’s Centres are run by friendly, experienced teams who provide a wide range of services and activities to support parents and help them make the most of those all-important first few years of their child’s life. The website offers people lots of easy to digest information about these services, which give parents the chance to meet in relaxed and nurturing settings where they can enjoy time with their child while meeting other parents and making new friends.
“We’d encourage anyone who wants to find out more about their local centre and the activities it provides to go online now and start exploring the new website.”
NCH&C runs Sure Start centres in Thetford; Cromer, Mundesley and North Walsham; Bowthorpe, Costessey and West Earlham and North Lynn, Gaywood North Bank and the Woottons. The centres are funded by Norfolk County Council and are open to children aged up to five and their families.
The new microsite is available at www.surestartnorfolk.co.uk
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