Jan 2012
Dads at Play - Are you a dad with a child/ren aged between 0-5? - If yes read on!
Did you know that First Steps Children’s Centre at Eavesdale in Tanhouse runs a session on the first Saturday of each month 10.30 -12.30 especially for Dads and their children?
First Steps is a father friendly centre, where fathers and their children can learn and play together in a safe environment, with access to the sensory room, soft play room and the ’early years’ room.
If your child fancies sticking and gluing, painting or even a bike ride in our new large outdoor area that’s fine, no matter what the weather!
The added advantage about First Steps is that you and your child/ren can access all this for free, we even provide tea, toast and bacon butties!
PS - Don't forget to tell your friends!
----------------------------------------------
Dec 2011
A big thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas open day. Over 200 people attended and joined in with the festive fun. Father Christmas was kept busy and the children had fun waking him up in his grotto. The children made some fantastic Christmas decorations and enjoyed the Christmas snack.
----------------------------------------------
Come and see Santa Friday 16th Dec from 9:30 - 11:30am or 1:00 - 3:00pm at Tanhouse Children’s Centre. Tickets are 50p per person available from reception in any of our centres.
Come and enjoy a snack with us and while you wait for Santa try out Christmas Arts and Crafts or use the Activity and Playrooms or the Outdoor Area.
----------------------------------------------
August 2011
At Friday’s Stay and Play children and carers muck in together digging, planting and watering veg and flowers in our allotment. We have grown green beans, courgettes and lettuce- all of which were delicious!
Brocolli and carrots are now growing and will be ready to eat early in autumn. Mm, can’t wait.
If you have a little one who likes digging and playing in water- (which child doesn’t) then come and join us in the fun and the learning.
----------------------------------------------
June 2011
Child Safety Week is on its way from 20th to 26th June 2011.
If you would like to know more about Child Safety week check out the links below:
- • Child Safety Week Home Page www.childsafetyweek.org.uk
- • Make It Safe http://www.makeitsafe.org.uk
- • Window Blind Safety http://www.windowblindsafety.ie/
- • Cancer Research UK Sunsmart http://www.sunsmart.org.uk/index.htm
----------------------------------------------
01/06/2011 New timetable: Our timetable has changed; this is because First Steps and other Children’s Centres need to attract more families who are not using our services at the moment, so that all local children are ready to learn when they start school.
As a result we’ve simplified our timetable to give staff more time to bring in new families and work with those who want extra support.
We’ll always aim to have a daily play session in one of our centres [Digmoor, Tanhouse or Upholland] and the activity rooms will be open for parents/carers and children to enjoy physical play, stories, songs and rhymes and art & crafts. In addition at Tanhouse the sensory and soft play rooms will still be available.
We hope the changes will:
- • Make it easier for families with both babies and toddlers to come together
- • Increase your use of the Children’s Centre
- • Give families more choice
- • Provide more support for families
Please check the Activities Page to see what’s on where. We look forward to seeing you soon...
----------------------------------------------
April 2011
01/04/2011 April Fools Social: Friday 1st April 2011 from 7.30pm-Midnight in Upholland Labour Club, Ormskirk Road, Skelmersdale.
Featuring: The Brass Monkeys supported by The Camberwells.
Tickets £3.00 each from Treasa in the Activ8 Cabin or Sylvia in Glenburn Sports College or by ringing 01695 724654.
Also eyes down for a game of bingo, play your cards right and a raffle.
All proceeds to Activ8 holiday camps. Download the Flyer 
----------------------------------------------
Feb 2011
21/02/2011 Half Term Camp: The Activ8 at Glenburn Holiday Camp will provide young people with a fun packed week of activities designed to suit the needs of every young person. The Holiday Camp is run by Glenburn Sports College through its new community programme Activ8.
Monday 21st Feb to Friday 25th Feb from 9am to 5pm. For All Young People Aged 5 - 12
Closing Date for bookings: Friday 11th February 2011.
For More information please call Treasa Fletcher on: 01695 724 654 or by E-mail on activ8@glenburn.lancs.sch.uk. Get the Flyer
----------------------------------------------
18/02/2011 Weaning: Would you like to learn more about weaning your baby? Then come to St Thomas the Martyr School Tuesday 18th Feb and every third Tuesday of the month following. Starts 11:00a.m. To find out more call 01695 724873 or 01695 624867.
----------------------------------------------
04/02/2011 Advisory Board: Do you regularly come to First Steps? Do you have ideas about services for you and your children? Do you want to contribute ideas along with other parents?
If you ’ve answered 'YES' to these questions we’d like you to join the Advisory Board for First Steps Children’s Centre.
The Board is made up of local parents, staff, and agency representatives who meet for 2 hours every three months, to help plan and monitor the services provided at the centre.
If you’re interested in joining other parents on the Board or would like to come along to the next meeting to see what it’s about, then call in or phone our centres and ask for Alan Johnstone. [Childcare is available for the time of the Board meeting]
----------------------------------------------
03/02/2011 Music and Movement: Music & Movement every Thursday at St Thomas the Martyr School starting Feb 3rd. Runs from 9:30 to 10:45.
You told us you’d like new experiences based on a music theme so we’re launching these sessions that are fun, interactive and aimed at improving language and child development.
A musician, a speech & language therapist and a children’s centre support worker run these sessions which comprise of a two-week open session for all families to attend, followed by a one a week closed session for a targeted group of children with speech and language delays.
An open session is also being provided on a monthly basis for the reception class at St Thomas the Martyr and then alternatively Hillside School.
To find out more call 01695 624867.
Download the flyer for Music and Movement
----------------------------------------------
02/02/2011 Baby Clinic: The Baby Clinic has now moved from Hillside Health Centre to First Steps, Tanhouse on Wednesday mornings. The clinic takes place alongside a play session so you will have a chance to meet other parents and their babies. Runs 9:45 to 11:30.
----------------------------------------------
02/02/2011 Let’s Get Arty: Let’s Get Arty sessions at Digmoor on Wednesday afternoons are based on Reggio Emilia practice, which is an approach to Early Education from Italy that holds children at the centre of learning.
The theme of the project is light, and we aim to support children explore light in various ways. The project is recommended for ages 2 years upwards, but younger ones are welcome.
There will be opportunities for children to work together with other children and adults, allowing them to be creative and be challenged in their problem solving skills.
----------------------------------------------
January 2011
12/01/2011: The next Intraining course to help people back into work or training starts on 12th January. To find out more ring Shirley Mansley on 01695 711930.
----------------------------------------------
04/01/2011: Nye Bevan Swimming Pool - The next course of free swimming lessons for toddlers will start on the 4th January for 10 weeks. Parents can contact First Steps Children’s Centre to book on the course before the break up for Christmas to guarantee a place.
Children who attend the free swimming lessons will be offered swimming lessons at a reduced rate (2 weeks free), if they wish to continue after the 10 weeks has finished.
Nye Bevan are offering two free swimming lessons to primary school age children at the moment and would like to extend it to Sure Start. Parents are invited to contact the pool to book on a course.
Splash and Play runs Monday 10-11.15 and Thursday 4-6pm. [Open age] Parents are invited to contact the Children’s Centre for a splash and play letter to access the free sessions.
Also Nye Bevan continue to run Aqua natal sessions on Tuesday 12-1pm run by the midwife, which cost £2.70.
----------------------------------------------
December 2010
10/12/2010: Santa’s Grotto - Come and visit Santa on Friday 10th December between 10.00 and 12.00 or 1.30 and 3.00 at First Steps, in Eavesdale.
The whole of the building including children's gym and outdoor play will be available all day!
You too could get to meet Santa!
----------------------------------------------
November 2010
01/11/2010: The new Outdoor Play area has officially opened!
----------------------------------------------
21/10/2010: First Steps Children’s Centre was inspected by Ofsted on October 20th and 21st. The inspection included visits to activities, scrutiny of our plans and documents and discussions with parents and professionals by the two inspectors involved.
Following the visit, we received a Good rating.
Inspectors judged us to have an outstanding range of services and activities to meet the needs of families and help improve their lives. The centre was viewed as a friendly and welcoming place, where children are getting off to a good start in their development.
Areas for First Steps to develop were working with the local authority and PCT to refine health data to a more localised level and ensuring our evaluations measure the impact of key targets in our plans.
Inspectors found that everybody offering services to First Steps works well together as a team and that personal help and support was provided to families when they need it most.
We were greatly encouraged by the inspection which confirmed areas where we thought we were doing well, while also pinpointing those where improvement is needed.
We are very grateful to all those who took part in the inspection with us and hope you will help us go from strength to strength in the future.
The full report of First Steps' inspection is on Ofsted's website www.ofsted.gov.uk
----------------------------------------------
October 2010
20/10/2010: Positive Parenting starts for 6 weeks from 13th October 1:00 to 3:00 at Hillside School, Egerton, Tabhouse.
Improve the relationship with your child. Ring Jill Scott 0n 01695 724873 for more information...
----------------------------------------------
19/10/2010: Talk 2 Me is a FREE information event for parents and carers of children with disabilities or additional needs - runs at Upholland Labour Club, Ormskirk Road, Skelmersdale, WN8 9AR on Tuesday 19th October from 9:30 - 2:30.
Book places now with Parent Partnership 01772 536981 or FIND Disability Database 01772 532509
----------------------------------------------
04/10/2010: Health and Wellbeing runs the first Monday in every month from the 4th October. Get information and help about how to improve your lifestyle.
----------------------------------------------
September 2010
08/09/2010: Early Days for mums/dads with new babies starts 8th September at First Steps Children’s Centre, Eavesdale. Get advice on weaning, feeding, play and health & wellbeing. Meet new friends and get support from staff.
----------------------------------------------
07/09/2010: In Training Courses help you in your search for work. Learn more about how to write a good CV. Build your confidence and learn interview techniques. Creche places available. Please phone 01695 724873 to book a place.
----------------------------------------------
August 2010
19/08/2010: It’s been 5 months since we started the allotment and boy has it grown!
As you can see it’s really popular and a fantastic learning environment for your children to understand more about where their food comes from.
----------------------------------------------
17/08/2010: One of our popular events for all is the Pizza Party!
Make your own pizza from a range of ingredients and then enjoy what you’ve made.
----------------------------------------------
July 2010
21/07/2010: As part of Child Safety Week Lancashire Fire & Rescue paid us a visit.
Ten parents and fifteen children attended and Brendan & Shaun, the two visiting Fire Officers, gave advice on fire safety awareness.
Eight parents booked a “Home Safety Check” the others having already had a visit.
As you can see the children were able to dress up in the equipment and pretend to put out real fires. They were also able to see the protective equipment and breathing apparatus firemen use when fighting fires.
Feedback from parents was really positive:
“My son loved this and he has gone on about it since. He tells everyone we see about it.”
“She knows a lot more about fires and what to do. It was very good.”
“He really enjoyed playing with all the things the firemen brought.”
“The firemen are coming to the house later today and it is good to know what to do.”
Like a Home Safety Check? Call us today and we’ll put you in touch.
----------------------------------------------
June 2010
Child Safety Week is on its way from 21st to 27th June 2010.
If you would like to know more about Child Safety week check out the links below:
- • Child Safety Week Home Page www.childsafetyweek.org.uk
- • Child Safety Week News http://www.capt.org.uk/news/default.htm
- • Make It Safe http://www.makeitsafe.org.uk
- • Window Blind Safety http://www.windowblindsafety.ie/
- • Cancer Research UK Sunsmart http://www.sunsmart.org.uk/index.htm
----------------------------------------------
May 2010
Child Safety Week is on its way from 21st to 27th June 2010.
Want to know more? Please check back for June News
----------------------------------------------
18/05/2010: We’ve opened an allotment!
Come along and learn about how to grow vegetables and generally have a good time in a safe friendly environment.
----------------------------------------------
April 2010
28/04/2010: First Steps Children’s Centre now has its own vegetable allotment. Staff and parents have received training on how to grow vegetables from seeds. Each week, in groups such as Mini Explorers, Toddler Stay and Play and Open Session, children and parents will look after the allotment and hopefully produce their own food to take home.
If you would like to know more about how to grow your own food, or would like to look at the allotment, please come to the groups or contact staff for more information. Go to the Contacts Page to message us about the Allotment »
----------------------------------------------
26/04/2010: Siblings of Children with Disabilities Group meets monthly at First Steps, Tanhouse. Fun activities, games and outdoor play for children of primary school age.
Dates are : May 20, June 17, July 15, August 12- all sessions run from 4. 45 to 7. 15 under the supervision of qualified, approved staff. See Siblings of Children with Disabilities sessions on the Activities page »
----------------------------------------------
24/04/2010: Job Centre Plus Lone Parent Advisors visit our 2 centres on alternate months. You can get advice in a relaxed atmosphere on returning to work, education, work trials and benefits. Come along on the following dates to find out more: May 10, Digmoor, June 11 Tanhouse, July 12 Digmoor, August 13 Tanhouse. All sessions 1-30- 2-30. See Job Centre Plus sessions on the Activities page»
----------------------------------------------
24/04/2010: A New Children’s Centre is opening in May at St. Thomas the Martyr School, Mill Lane, Upholland, WN8 OHX.
St. Thomas the Martyr are joining with First Steps to open a brand new centre on the school site. Baby clinics and 2 year assessments will be carried out by health visitors at the centre, while Stay and Play, Music and Fun with Art sessions will also take place. You are sure of a warm welcome.