Childrens Centres Consultation | Have Your Say

This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Communication Business Partner, Gemma Leary, for the attention of all Early Years and Childcare Practitioners.

A consultation regarding proposed changes to children’s centre services in Slough is running until 17 March.

The consultation is open to all Slough residents and service users and the council welcomes responses both from those who use the children’s centre service and those who currently do not. It is important to hear your views about the key issues the council should consider when designing the borough’s future children’s centre service.

If you have recently filled in a petition regarding the proposed changes, we would encourage you to fill in the consultation as well. You can take part in this consultation whether you agree with an option or not, we would like to hear all views.

There are three proposed options:

Option 1: (Recommended option)  

To create a new three centre model by closing seven of the existing 10 children’s centres to establish a new model of delivery serviced by the existing centres at Penn Road, Chalvey Grove and Romsey Close.  

This option would see the three retained centres operate on a north, south and east locality basis. This option would include the maintenance of directly delivered early education and childcare from Chalvey Grove and Romsey Close. Stand-alone early education and childcare would also be maintained at Yew Tree Road.

Option 2: 
 

To create a new two centre model by closing eight of the existing 10 children’s centres to establish a north and south locality model serviced by the existing centres at Penn Road and Chalvey Grove, respectively. This option would include the maintenance of directly delivered early education and childcare from Chalvey Grove. Stand-alone early education and childcare would also be maintained at Yew Tree Road. 
 

Option 3: 
 

To create a new single centre model by closing nine of the existing 10 children’s centres to establish a boroughwide model at Chalvey Grove.

Residents are invited to read the full consultation pack before filling in the consultation survey. Visit https://democracy.slough.gov.uk/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=43743&PlanId=0&Opt=3#AI45631 More information is also available at: www.slough.gov.uk/childrenscentreconsultation

Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning, and skills, said: “We want to hear from as many residents as possible, even if you don’t agree with any of the options proposed. It’s very important for us here at the council to make sure we can take into account as many residents’ views as possible, as we look at designing the new children’s centre service.   

“Please do attend a drop-in session if you would like to ask more questions about the proposals, there are two in March, and if you don’t have access to the internet or need help completing the survey you can visit your local children’s centre where the staff will be happy to assist.”

The children’s centre team will be hosting drop-in sessions where residents can ask questions and get help filling in the online survey if they need it.

The dates for the drop-in sessions are:

Monday 6 March, Vicarage Way Children’s Centre, 12noon-2pm, Vicarage Way, Colnbrook, SL3 0JY.

Wednesday 15 March, Monksfield Way Children’s Centre, 9-10.30am, Monksfield Way,  SL2 1QX.

Wednesday 15 March, Yew Tree Road Children’s Centre, 4-6pm, St Marys School, Yew Tree Road, SL1 2AR

If you cannot access the internet at home or need help to complete the survey, you can visit your local children’s centre for a paper copy.

Responses will be analysed, and an outcomes report will go to Cabinet later in 2023.