Have Your Say: Children's Centre Consultation

Bedford Borough Council are inviting families to have their say about the future of Children's Centres. Click here to find out more about the consultation and be sure to complete the online form before Friday 27th July 2012 to have your say.

Are you under 20 years old?

The Teen Parent Programme will be taking place Tuesday afternoons, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, at Peter Pan Children’s Centre.

By attending the Teen Parent Programme you will begin to understand your role as a parent. Throughout the course we will discuss: your role as a parent, child development, budgeting, first aid, weaning, cooking for your child and much more!

For more information about the Teen Parent Programme please contact us.

Do you want to learn more about Baby Massage?

As part of National Baby Massage Week we are holding two short taster sessions at Cherry Trees Children’s Centre on Friday 18th May 2012 at 10.00am - 11.00am and 1.30pm - 2.30pm.

Here we will be discussing the benefits of massage and demonstrating some useful strokes that can help relief common issues such as pain, constipation and colic.

Rhythm Babies

Rhythm Babies will be taking place at Peter Pan Children's Centre, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, starting Wednesday 20th June 2012 then every Wednesday for 3 weeks.

At Rhythm Babies we take part in a variety of musical activities such as playing instruments, singing, rhymes, moving and dancing! Due to limited spaces if you would like to come along please contact us to book your place.

The Big Local

The Big Local has £1 million to spend in the local area and they would like the community to participate and share what they would like to spend the money on - have your say! We have invited The Big Local to come to Cherry Trees on the 28th May during Stay and Play (9.30am - 11.30am) and Tiny Times (1.00pm - 3.00pm).

Please come along and share your ideas! Click here for more information about The Big Local. If you would prefer you are able to complete bpha's online survey about the local area by clicking here.

Financial Support

Do you need financial support? Click here for lots of useful information about financial support for parents and carers.

Jump and Shout

The weather hasn't been that great recently - are you missing your trips to the park?

Why not come along to Jump and Shout? The group takes place every Thursday afternoon, 1.00pm - 2.30pm at Faraday Square Community Centre. This is an indoor activity group, which aims to promote children's physical activity where we take part in lots of fun activities including climbing frames, trampolines, running and riding bikes.

Big Jubilee Picnic

Celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on Monday 4th June 2012, 1pm - 5pm, at Jubilee Park Moulton Avenue.

Bring your own picnic and join in the fun - there will be face painting, inflatables and games and refreshments.

May Newsletter

Our May newsletter is now available for you to pick up from reception and read online.

50 Things To Do Before You're 11

The National Trust has launched a new campaign, 50 Things To Do Before You're 11, to encourage children to enjoy the outdoors.

Research has shown fewer than 1 in 10 children today have played in a wild place compared to half of their parent's generation.

The list of challenges include climbing a tree, building a den, flying a kite and hunting for frogspawn. Visit the 50 Things website for more information.

Baby Brasserie: Bring and Share Picnic

Join us at Baby Brasserie on Friday 1st June, 9.30am - 11.30am, at Peter Pan Children's Centre for a bring and share picnic.

As part of this picnic we will be discussing the benefits of Baby Led Weaning (BLW) with information, quotes and pictures available for you.

Cheap and illegal tobacco

A campaign is currently taking place across the UK educating the public about cheap and illegal tobacco and the risks that come with buying cheap tobacco.

To find out more please visit www.no-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.

If you want to stop smoking we have trained smoking cessation staff at the Children's Centre who can refer you to appropriate services and support you every step of the way so contact us or speak to a member of staff next time you visit for more information.

Gallery Update

Recently we have been celebrating Easter within our group sessions by creating Easter cards and paper egg decorations. Your children have made lots of fantastic cards and decorations and we have added some photographs of them to our Children's Gallery.

Speech and Language

Attending our regular group activities such as Chatterbox and Tot Stars can help your child's speech and language skills grow.

You will also learn ways to support your child's speech and language at home as well. Talking Point is a good website with lots of useful information and resources for parents about speech and language.

Click here to visit the website.

Families In The Foundation Years

Ever wondered what the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is all about?

Based on the EYFS our groups and activities support your child's early education. A useful website called Families In The Foundation Years has a special parents area with lots of information, including videos, to guide you through the early years from pregnancy all the way to your child's 5th birthday.

Click here to visit the website.

Specialist Groups

As part of our Specialist Group sessions Heuristic Play, Baby Massage, Messy Play and Baby Jabadao take place regularly. If you visit our groups page you will now find lots of useful information about each of these group sessions including ideas to try at home.

Be sure to check our groups page and monthly newsletter often as we will be letting you know which Specialist Group will take place next and how you can book a place for you and your baby.

Do you speak Polish?

We have started to create a Polish page which can be found by clicking here.

This page contains details about Regular Activities and our Welfare Information Service plus useful information about how to contact us and which bus stops are nearest the centre.

We will continuously update and improve this page for you and we aim to create pages for Bengali and Urdu speakers in the near future.

Changes to Baby Clinic

Due to renovation work at London Road Health Centre the Baby Clinic which takes place on Friday run by the 0-19 team will close as of 1st November until further notice.