23
OXFORDSHIRE
CHILDREN’S CENTRES
There are currently 45
children’s centres in
Oxfordshire and each is
unique to, and relies on
the involvement of, its
community.
These centres are sources of
information and advice to
parents of children aged up to
five in their local community in
the following areas:
• young parents’ groups
• activities that link with local
schools
• services for children
with special needs and
impairments
• encouraging and supporting
parents who want to train or
return to work full day care,
sessional care,childminding
or on-site crèche facilities.
• antenatal and postnatal
advice and support
• breastfeeding advice
• parent and toddler drop-in
• multi-sensory rooms
• family support and outreach
• information and advice for
parents
• activities with partner
agencies
• speech and language
development
• dads’ groups
Activities are provided by a
team of staff and volunteers
and are all integrated with
Early Education, through play
and giving parents and carers a
chance to look after their
own needs. Charges for
activities are small and
refreshments are available at
all centres.
The framework is based on
four themes:
1. A Unique Child: every
child is a competent learner
from birth and can be resilient,
capable, confident and selfassured.
2. Positive Relationship:
children learn to be strong and
independent from a base of
loving and secure relationships
with their parents and/or a key
person.
3. Enabling Environments:
a child’s environment plays
a key role in supporting and
extending their development
and learning.
4. Learning & Development:
children develop and learn in
different ways and at different
rates, so all areas of learning
and development are equally
important and interconnected.
What you can do to help your
child
Children do best when their
parents and carers (whether
family or professional) work
together, as these are their
first teachers.
Learning happens all the time
when your child is with you,
through:
sources of help
To find out where your nearest
children’s centre is located,
please visit:
www.oxonchildrenscentres.org.uk
or contact the Oxfordshire Family
Information Service on
08452 26 26 36.
“The children’s centre has given me a
safe, organised place where I can take
my baby. I can meet people from
different backgrounds and cultures and
we share information either through our
own knowledge and experiences or by
speaking with others. Most importantly,
everyone is equal,regardless of
background, culture or age”.
• praise and cuddles
• reading things together
• playing games and singing
nursery rhymes
• talking about what you can
see in the park or on the
street
• counting the stairs as you go
up and down.
Children are sponges,
eagerly soaking up whatever
knowledge, experience and
language you pass their way. If
you use this time to encourage
your child’s natural curiosity,
you and your child will see the
benefits in the years to come.