Maidenhead & Windsor

The South Ascot Children's Centre, based at South Ascot Village Primary School in All Souls Road, is the first children's centre in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough to have gained official Sure Start status.

Sure Start is a government programme which aims to deliver the best start in life for every child and brings together early education, childcare, health and family. The Windsor and Maidenhead South Ascot centre has received this designation because it is leading the way in the provision of support and advice to families with babies and children up to the age of five, including drop-in clinics, advice sessions from social care and health professionals, coffee mornings and access to helpful information.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "The children's centre at South Ascot Village Primary School is at the heart of the community, providing an excellent resource for all those who use it. Sure Start recognition is wonderful news for the borough's residents."

Gill Cocklin, head teacher and centre manager, said: "We are very excited about our new children's centre, which has been designed with the needs of local children in mind. The Sure Start status shows we are meeting the high standards set by the government for the provision of integrated services for children and their families.

"Parents and carers are very welcome to pop in at any time or call us on 07512 850387."

The South Ascot centre joins a growing network of children's centres across the country providing early learning and family support. By 2010, there will be 3,500 children's centres up and running – one for every community, offering a range of services for families.

A total of six children's centres will be in place in the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough by March 2008 – the facility at Woodlands Park Village Centre opened last month and will be followed by centres at St Mark's Hospital, Maidenhead, Ellington Primary School, Maidenhead, Dedworth Green First School and The Lawns Nursery School, Windsor.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead