Building work has begun this week on a new Children’s Centre in Burnham-On-Sea which will provide local support and advice for parents and carers of children under five.
The centre is due to open in Spring 2008 and will create a single point of access to services for families who will be able to get information on matters such as child development, parenting, and advice on how to stay safe and healthy.
The new centre will also offer support to parents who are considering training and employment, as well as high-quality childcare and pre-school education from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday for children aged 2 – 4 years.
Somerset County Council has contributed over £470,000 to create the new centre and worked closely with a steering group of local representatives to ensure that the facility will meet local needs and aspirations. The Centre represents the latest step towards Somerset County Council’s aim of establishing 33 new Children’s Centres in Somerset by March 2008.
Margaret Scott, chairperson of the Burnham-On-Sea steering group, said in a statement this week: “The steering group has been working with Somerset County Council on the proposal for over a year and it is exciting to see the building work begin. We listened to the local community to ensure the facility meets the requirements of parents and carers with young children, and are looking forward to the day when the Children’s Centre opens its doors.”
Councillor Pauline Clarke, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, added: “Somerset County Council is pleased that building work is under way on this new Children’s Centre. It will support parents and families and help Somerset County Council ensure that children in Somerset are healthy and safe in their early years.”
Councillor Mike Facey, Somerset County Council’s local member for Burnham, said: “This Children’s Centre will be a valuable addition to Burnham-on-Sea. The new facilities will be a key point of access to services for our local parents and children. I am pleased that we have reached this stage and am grateful for the hard work of the local steering group and officers from Somerset County Council.”
The building was originally proposed for the centre of Burnham but was moved to this site bordering Winchester Road as it provided more space.
Our photo shows members of the steering group with Mike Facey, Somerset County Council’s Member for Burnham North, holding the shovel
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