Doncaster Families Information Service

Children's Centres > Thorne Children's Centre

Thorne Children’s Centre aims to provide access to the following Early years provision
•Integrated early learning and childcare for babies and children until they are five years old.
•Childcare suitable for working parents/carers for a minimum of 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year, 10 hours a day.
•Support for childminders.
•Early identification of children with special needs and disabilities with inclusive services and support for their families.
•Links to local schools (extended schools and Healthy Schools) and out-of-school activities (holiday play schemes, before/after-school play and learning).

Family support and parental outreach
•Visits to all families in the catchments area within two months of a child's birth (through the Child Health Promotion Programme or agreed local arrangements).
•Information for parents/carers about the range of family support services and activities available in the area.
•Support and advice on parenting including support at significant transition points for the family (e.g. pre birth, early days, settling into childcare).
•Access to specialist, targeted services for those families that need them e.g. support for parents/carers of disabled children.
•Activities that increase parents/carers' understanding of their child's development.
•Specific strategies and activities that increase the involvement of fathers.

Child and family health services
•Antenatal advice and support for parents/carers.
•Child Health Promotion Programme.
•Information and guidance on breast feeding, hygiene, nutrition and safety.
•Promoting positive mental health and emotional well-being, including identification, support and care for those suffering from maternal depression, antenatally and postnatally.
•Speech and language and other specialist support.
•Support for healthy lifestyles.
•Help in stopping smoking.

Parental involvement
•Consultation and information sharing with parents/carers, including fathers, on what services are needed, and systems to get user feedback on services.
•Ongoing arrangements in place to ensure parents/carers have a voice e.g. parents' forums.

Links with Jobcentre Plus
•Thorne Children’s Centre will link with Jobcentre Plus to encourage and support parents/carers who wish to consider training and employment.

Other services which may be provided
•Effective links with further and higher education institutions, and local training providers
•Training for parents / carers, including English as an Additional Language where relevant, Basic Skills, or parenting classes
•Specialist services for disabled children
•Benefits advice, including maternity benefits
•Childcare and other services for older children e.g. siblings of families receiving services.
•Adult relationship support
•Contact centres
•Toy libraries
•Support for delivery of Bookstart baby bags, toddler bags and 'My Treasure Boxes'

Thorne Children’s Centre offers the best start in life for every child. We will provide information and services for families with young children and aim to build on good existing services rather than starting new ones where it’s not necessary.

By visiting Thorne Children’s Centre, you will receive support and help in finding childcare, family support, health services and even employment advice. We have a day nursery very close by, providing childcare from 8am – 6pm and we also have links with local childminders. If you are looking for day care as a working parent, the centre will be able to give you information about the options for you and your child.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Email: karen.seaman@doncaster.gov.uk

Children’s Centre’s are a Government led programme designed to give every child the best start in life. The aim is to do this by delivering services pro-actively in an integrated way.

Doncaster Children's Centres form part of the Integrated Family Support Service which brings together Children's Centres, Youth Services and Family Support Services.

Last Updated: 04/05/2012