Full Core Offer

Early years provision

• Integrated early learning and childcare for babies and children until they are five years old;

• Integrated learning and care suitable for working mothers & fathers/carers for a minimum of 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year,10 hours a day;

• Support for childminders, including a network;

• Early identification of children with special needs and disabilities with inclusive services and support for their families; and

• Links to local schools.

Outreach

• Visits to all families in the catchment area within two months of the child’s birth;

• Activities to raise community awareness, particularly among disadvantaged groups;

• Co-ordinated programme of home visits;

• Systems for referring/signposting families to further services;

• Systems for monitoring services usage by particular families or groups; and

• Where possible key worker system.

Family support

• 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 which need them eg support for parents/carers of disabled children;

• Activities which increase parents/carers' understanding of their child's development; and

• Specific strategies and activities which increase the involvement of fathers.

Child and family health services

• Antenatal advice and support for mothers & fathers/carers;

• Child Health Promotion Programme;

• Information and guidance on breast feeding, hygiene, nutrition and safety;

• Promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, including identification, support and care for those suffering from maternal depression, antenatally and post-natally;

• Speech and language and other specialist support;

• Support for healthy lifestyles; and

• Help in stopping smoking.

Parental involvement

• Consultation and information sharing with mothers & fathers/carers, on what services are needed, and systems to get user feedback on services; and

• Ongoing arrangements in place to ensure mothers & fathers/carers have a voice e.g. parents’ forums, including fathers.

Links with Jobcentre Plus

• Children's centres will link with Jobcentre Plus to encourage and support parents/carers who wish to consider training and employment.

Graduated - phase 2

• the offer of appropriate support and outreach services to parents/carers and children who have been identified as in need of them;

• information and advice to fathers and mothers/carers on a range of subjects including;

• support to childminders via a coordinated network, but also to other childminders in the area;

• drop-in sessions and other activities for children and mothers & fathers/carers at the centre;

• links to Jobcentre Plus services; and

• community health services including local midwives and health visitors based in the centre or operating from it.

Graduated - phase 3

• outreach services for isolated parents/carers and children at risk of social exclusion, including health visitors linked with the centre, underpinned with good information and data about families in the local area;

• information and advice to fathers and mothers /carers on a range of subjects;

• support to childminders via a quality assured, coordinated network, but also to other childminders in the area;

• activities for children and mothers and fathers/carers at the centre;

• links with Jobcentre Plus; and

• access to community health services.