These are just some of the sessions on offer at Ashby Children's Centre. For details of what's on this month please visit the activities held in North Lincolnshire children's centres webpage.
For further information please telephone 01724 742500.
Baby clinic
The open-access baby clinic provides health promotion advice and support to families. It is staffed by two to three health visitors and supported by a clinic clerk. Parents are able to get their babies and children weighed and ask for help and support if they need it. There is a play area for other children and a parents area for parents to meet with each other.
Childminding and parent group
The childminders group is run for childminders and parents. Childminders can meet and support each other. Parents can meet childminders and find out more about what they do.
Come and play
Come and play is a play session for families who may be new to the idea of coming to a children's centre. The sessions are very relaxed and informal. They aim to engage parents with their under fives. Families can get to know each other and the centre team.
Cook and eat
Talking to parents about healthy eating has always been one of the core principles of Ashby Children's Centre. The family room has a large kitchen area. Parents can be trained on how to prepare healthy meals for their children from fresh ingredients.
Dad's group
The aim of Dad's group is to provide engaging play sessions which dads can bring their children to. The sessions are arranged at a time and on a day that is convenient for them.
EMB support group
The EMB support group works closely with children's centre staff, midwifery services and health visitors. It aims to:
- Promote breastfeeding rates
- Promote better health outcomes for infant and mother
- Provide consistent breastfeeding peer support
- Parents support each other and solve problems as a group
Fun together sessions
The fun together sessions aim to:
- Encourage parent / child interactions
- Provide examples of inexpensive play ideas that can be used at home
- Model appropriate speech and language that can be used with young children
Parent pitstop
The main aims of the session are:
- To celebrate the quality of parenting skills that a parent already has
- To create a safe environment where parents can feel safe to discuss any issues
- To identify each parent's personal and family needs
- To help each parent build a personal support system that will help them once the sessions have finished
- To inform parents about other local resources and support services
- To enhance parents' skills, knowledge and confidence
Parent-child interaction sessions
Parent-child interaction sessions are attended by children who have been assessed as having delayed language development and their parent(s).
The Speech & Language Therapist discusses strategies to promote and support the development and enhancement of communication to be practiced at home.
Portage stay and play sessions
The aims of the Portage Stay and Play group are to:
- Give parents the opportunity to learn ways of interacting with their child through play in a different environment
- Support parents in the first steps towards separation from their child
- Offer parents easy and affordable ideas for play activities to share with their child at home
- Share and celebrate the progress and achievements of each individual child
- Parents can socialise and support each other
The aims of the group for children are to:
- Participate in supported informal play sessions
- Learn early social skills and interaction with others
- Have fun
- The session is run in the Rainbow Room at Ashby Turn, a satellite of Ashby's Children's Centre
Stay and play
Stay and Play sessions aim to:
- Support parents to play with their children
- Offer parents easy and affordable ideas for play activities to share with their child at home
- Provide the opportunity for parents to liaise with and to support each other
- Offer advice on any concerns parents have about their children
Welfare rights services
Drop in sessions are held at the children's centre. The Welfare Rights service provides benefit checks; help with filling in forms, debt work, support with housing issues and liaison with other agencies.
The service also provides training and information sessions on debt, budgeting and benefits.
Wiggle and giggle
The aim of Wiggle and Giggle is to provide a fun session for babies from birth to pre-toddlers. Activities, songs and rhymes are carefully selected and delivered in a safe and comfortable environment. The sessions provide an opportunity for carers and babies to share quality time and strengthen their relationship. Babies are provided with the opportunity to develop new skills including:
- Communication
- Listening and attention
- Memory
- Fine/gross motor development
New parents are able to share ideas and experiences.