Child of Our Time innovator launches children's centre

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Professor Robert Winston opens South Acton facility

Professor Lord Robert Winston, who fronted the groundbreaking Child of Our Time series, took time out of his busy schedule on Friday March 3rd to open the South Acton Children’s Centre.

The leading paediatrician and professor of fertility studies, was joined by politicians, parents, children, local authority officers, members of the governing body and management committee to celebrate the opening. 

Lord Winston said “The staff here are doing an exemplary and immensely important job. You are contributing to people who you will never see growing up, but scientific data tells us that you will have changed their lives for the better. For those of us that come here to visit, we come here very humbled. Our society does not fully value and support the next generation and what we have here are the most important people in our society.”

Nearly £2 million was spent on the new building and the under 3s garden and the centre combines and connects the former social services Hanbury Nursery Centre, the former Heathfield Nursery School and Sure Start Acton in a new, large and refurbished building designed by Architect Andrew Llowarch.   The centre offers early education and care from six months to five years and a very wide range of family support, child and family health services.

Sheila Vizard, head of the centre, said “One parent said to me that ‘early intervention is the closest thing to a magic wand’ and that is the best thing that could have been said about the centre. What we have created here has been a long time coming but it is developing fast and it is just the sort of thing that is needed in every locality.”

A local mother of two girls who has used the centre since 2002 said "Well, where do I start, firstly my name is Charlotte and I have a daughter who currently attends the Over 3’s. I have used the centre since 2002 my son attended the under 3’s and also I CAN. I have benefited from the use of the Centre by using the counselling service, baby and toddler group and parenting classes. By having the two at the Centre it has given me the opportunity to go off to college, which I wouldn’t have been able to do. It’s also given me time out, time to myself to reflect on my life, which has brought out some good in me. The Centre has been a great help and support.”

Mother of three Milgo said “The centre offers high quality services in one stop shop integrated education and great opportunities for parents and carers. In the nursery children are treated individuals and are consulted in the daily running of the nursery. This gives children high self -esteem and a real sense of ownership. Parents, carers and staff have good relations which contributes to the overall success of the Centre. Sure Start family support workers give tremendous support and guidance to parents and carers and parents are empowered through consultations of each and every step of the ever evolving services that sure start provides.”

Bridget Alioui-Ndebele, a member of staff at the centre, added “I have been fortunate to join a hard working, selfless, keen and friendly team. Joint working has been very positive. I have found communication to be open, supportive, encouraged and welcomed, which has made joint working much smoother as we all work towards one goal. Through joint working, I feel that we can really support families appropriately, by valuing each other’s skills, communicating our thoughts, anxieties, strengths and weaknesses.”

 

March 7, 2006