Dingle Lane
Dingle Lane - A SureStart Children Centre
Services at Dingle Lane Children Centre:
Dingle Lane Children Centre brings together a wide range of services for children from birth to 5 years of age and their families, and pregnant women and their partners. The Centre is a one-stop shop within the community for parents, providing childcare, education, health, and family support. We also provide advice on employment and training.
These services are for everyone within the Riverside and St Michaels ward, and beyond. We hope to make it easier for parents to obtain the range of services they need for themselves and their families in the early years of their children's lives. You can use this Children Centre, or one that is more convenient for you. Just register at the centre and you can use all the services. All the services are free, except for the daycare, but help for this can be gained through the Working Families Tax Credits.
Education and Childcare
MAPS Nursery
The nursery provides education and childcare to children by a qualified and experienced team of staff who aim to consistently improve on our service delivery and practices. The setting actively promotes equality and inclusion, and supports children with additional needs and those who speak English as an additional language. Our admission policy covers both purchased and funded places. Hours include full time and part time. We provide opportunities for learning and development that are rich, stimulating and fulfilling. The nursery works closely alongside Matthew Arnold Primary School and its experienced staff. Children within MAPS nursery are able to participate in weekly sessions in both Soft Play and Multi Sensory rooms and other children centre activities and events. Children are encouraged to eat from our healthy eating snacks menu.
MAPS OFSTED inspection in Oct 06, MAPS retained its "Good" grade. A few of the quotes from the report are:
"Children benefit as healthy eating options have been successfully introduced into the nursery. All dietary needs are met, in consultation with parents".
"Children play in a safe and secure environment that is welcoming for children and parents".
For further details on child vacancies please contact the Nursery Manager on 0151 233 4913 or the Children Centre on 233 4930:
If you are a parent under 20 wanting to learn, support for childcare costs may be available through CARETOLEARN on 0845 600 2809 or visit the website: www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn
Child minders
A child minder network runs from within Dingle Lane Children Centre. The support group is a group of OFSTED registered child minders managed by a designated coordinator. Child minders are professional people who provide good quality home based childcare which meets the needs of the local community. The child minder support group holds their drop-in sessions at the Children Centre. Sessions are every Wednesday morning between 10:00am and 12:00pm to enable their minded children to have experience of group activities. If you are interested in becoming a child minder, please contact us on 233 4930.
Child and Family Health Services
Services provided by both Health Visitors and Midwives.
- A drop-in "Baby Club" run by Health Visitors runs every Friday morning's between 9:00am and 12:00pm for baby weighing and advice from your health practitioners.
- Immunisations - (please contact the Health visitors or centre for details)
- 12 and 18 month baby reviews
- Baby LifeChecks - The NHS Baby LifeCheck is a new online health service for parents and carers of babies 5-8 months. Come into the centre and access the service. This is a confidential service and can keep your baby happy, healthy and safe.
- "Milky Bar" Breastfeeding Cafe - every Friday between 11.15-12.15pm, to support new mums or mums to be, and help with any feeding issues.
- Weaning clinic - our Health Visitors will be running sessions for advice on weaning on the first Thursday of each month, 3rd September, 1st October, 5th November and 3rd December 09, all betwen 11.00-12.00 noon. Come and drop in.
- Alder Hey Specialist Feeding Clinic - booked through Alder Hey. New dates in 2010.
- Antenatal services - by appointment only, run by our midwife.
- Aqua-natal sessions - did you know that there are aqua natal sessions available every Monday at Steble Street baths between 10.30-11.30am. The sessions are run by a local Midwife and it costs £1.90 per session. This is a great way of exercising during pregnancy, as well as being fun and relaxing.
- Parent Education classes - regular sessions for parents to be will be run from this centre on Wednesday evenings between 6.00-7.30pm. To book your place please contact the centre. Further planned course dates for 2010 are: 13th January, 10th February, 10th March, 14th April, 12th May, 9th June, 14th July, 8th September, 13th October and 10th November. All run over a 3 week period.
There is also a new pregnancy care planner on the internet, giving advice on all you need to know to have a healthy and happy pregnancy. This includes advice before you are pregnant, your pregnancy and labour, you and your baby and general pregnancy topics. To find out more go to www.nhs.uk/pregnancy
Another useful website is http://www.iamgoingtohaveababy.co.uk/liverpool/ev/resourceguide.php a resource guide for young mums and dads.
Did you know that from April 2009 you can claim a one-off payment of £190 for every mum to be through the Health in Pregnancy Grant. For further information go to http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/money4mum2be/ You must be 25 weeks pregnant, and your midwife or doctor must fill in their part of the form and sign it.
Family Support
The Centre offers support via its outreach link workers. The Centre now has six outreach workers covering family support, SEN/disability, child minding and health promotion. The Centre works in partnership with Liverpool City Council and would always work in partnership with children and parents. It is one of our aims to visit families of all new births within our area.
Stay and Play Drop-in every Monday and Thursday morning between 9.45am and 11:00am. The Monday session will be concentrating on "walkers and talkers" (18 months-4 years) and the Thursday session will be concentrating on "babies and crawlers" (6-18 months). Parents, Carers, Grandparents and children 0 - 4 years, come along and spend some quality playtime without interruptions, and to meet other parents and carers in a relaxed atmosphere. Ask one of the children centre team about our special Christmas Stay and Play in December.
Little Treasures - are you a parent with a baby less than 6 months old? if so come along to our group every Friday between 9.45-11.00am. Let your child learn through play, with different activities each week for you and your child.
Messy Play - a chance for you and your child to explore messy play acyivities, aimed at children from 18 months through to 4 years, and taking place the first and third Thursday of every month, between 3.30-4.30pm. The first Thursday session is aimed at children 0-18 months (7.1.10, 4.2.10, 4.3.10 and 1.4.10). The third Thursday is aimed at children 18 months to 4 years (21.1.10, 18.2.10, 18.3.10 and 15.4.10).
Dingle Dads - open on the first Saturday morning of every month between 9.30-11.30am (February to December only). This is for Dads and male carers and their children under 5 years of age. Breakfast is provided free of charge. Come and join the fun. Contact the centre for further details. Don't miss it! Look out for special visits over the next few months, which will include Tropical Inc in February and Clive Cole, musician and story teller in April 10. Please note that the April Dingle Dads will take place on 10th April 2010 and not the 3rd April (Due to Easter holidays)
Dingle Lane Toy Library - Opportunity to borrow a variety of toys to help your child/children develop through play, is now open on Monday's from 1.30-2.15pm. For further details please contact the children centre. The Toy Library is curently being revamped and as a result will not be open in January, but reopening on Monday 1st February 2010.
Healthy eating - Around the World on a budget - To promote healthy lifestyles and trying out new foods on a budget. This is aimed at parents and carers only, but a limited creche will be available. Please contact centre staff for further details and dates. Places will be limited.
Healthy Eating - Little Chefs - help your child learn to cook in a fun way. This is aimed at children 18 months to 4 years of age, and their parents. This is a 6 week, one hour programme. A great way to have fun and learn at the same time. Please contact centre staff for further dates and details and to book your place. Next planned sessions will start on Wednesday 24th February 2010. Look out for further dates.
Free fruit - to encourage children to eat fresh fruit, we here at Dingle Lane are offering a variety of fruits after various sessions throughout the week. The free fruit is available in our reception for you and your child to taste and enjoy! Don't forget to pick a piece up!
Stop Smoking - Help and advice for anyone wishing to stop smoking. Staff from Fag Ends are on site every Friday morning between 9.00-10.30am. For further details about Roy Castle Fag Ends visit: www.roycastle.org
Multi-Sensory and Soft Play Rooms - Time for parents and children to enjoy the Multi-Sensory and Soft Play experience that these rooms offer. Our sensory room has now been enhanced to improve the experiences. This is available on a Tuesday morning between 9.30-10.30am and Wednesday afternoons between 3.30-4.15pm. We are now open on a regular basis on Wednesday evening's between 5.30-6.30pm. Please contact centre staff to book.
Kindermusik - a fun time musical drop-in for babies and toddlers and their parents and carers. This will be running on Mondays between 2.00-2.45pm throughout the year.
Boogie Babes - a dance class for children from 18 months to 4 years of age, connecting the physical aspect of dance with the creativity of children's imagination. It's fun, it's healthy and it's active! The sessions will be running on a Tuesday morning 9.30-10.10am and a second session from 10.20-11.00am.
Baby massage - encourage relaxation and help with bonding with your child. Sessions are planned throughout 2010. Due to demand places will need to be booked via the centre on 0151 233 4930.
Baby Yoga - we now run baby yoga sessions throughout the year, run over a 5 week period. Dates will be added throughout the year. (Occasionally this course may be rolled out on different days of the week). Please contact the centre for further details. Places will be limited, so please book early.
Baby Babble - encourage your baby to communicate and develop their language. This is aimed at children under 12 months of age. The sessions will run on Tuesday's, 10.00-11.00am, from 2nd February 2010. Further dates throughout the year. For further details and to book your place please contact the centre.
Tots and Teens (Young parents group) - we are now running a young parents group, for both mums and dads. This will now run the last Tuesday of every month, 1.30-3.00pm. We are also running a special Around the World on a budget for our teenage parents from 19th January 2010 to 9th February 2010, 1.30-3.00pm. This is aimed at parents, or parents to be, under 21 years of age. Have you heard of the C Card Scheme? Do you want to discuss issues around contraception and sexual heath? If so please contact the centre for details. Further details on sexual health are also available on www.sotospeak.co.uk
Little Fishes - swimming at Steble Street Baths every Wednesday from 10.30-11.10pm, and 11.20-12.00 noon, throughout the year. The sessions also incorporated SPLASH AND SING, a Songs and Rhyme session to help babies and young children, and their parents or carers, gain confidence in the water. Please book your place through the centre team.
First Footsteps - family walks designed to improve health and physical activity in a fun way. The third Tuesday of every month (1.30-2.30). Dates for 2010 are: 19.1.10, 16.2.10, 16.3.10 and 22.4.10. Contact the centre for further details.
Funzone - free sport sessions for children from 1 year to 4 years and their parents or carers, now running every Monday between 3.30-4.30pm. Just drop in. Come and have some fun!
Sleep Clinic - a clinic has been running here since 2006. This service is for any child, under five who are experiencing sleep issues. Currently we have no sleep worker, but hope to offer this service again later in the year. For further information please contact the centre.
Positive Parenting - do you want to stay cool, calm and in control, and become a more positive and relaxed parent. Then come along to a 9 week course starting Tuesday 19th January 2010 (9.30-11.30am). A limited creche is also available. You will need to book your place.
Paediatric first aid course - following on from our succesful courses over the last couple of years, we have arranged further dates for 2010. The courses will run on a Thursday pm (1.00-3.00pm) from 4th February to 11th March 2010, with a limited creche. We are also running a course on a Wednedsy evening (5.15-7.30pm) from 10th February to 24th March 2010. More dates in 2010 are from Thursday 15th April (1.15-3.15pm) until 3rd June, with a limited creche, and Wednesday evening (5.15-7.30pm) from 12th May 2010. Further dates will be arranged for 2010. You will need to book your place as numbers are limited.
Story Time - Sessions for children and their parents or carers. These sessions now run every week, on Tuesdays between 2.00-2.45pm. We now run a loyalty scheme to encourage you and your child to read together. Receive a card and on your 10th visit to our story time receive a free book. From January to March 2010 the sessions will be led by Sing A Long A Tots.
Book Start - have you received your Book Start pack? If not ask at your children centre, and we will be happy to give you the pack.
Rooms available for training sessions - contact Centre for further details.
Services for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Neighbourhood Early Year's Service (NEYS) is an early years service for special needs and disabilities. It brings together people from health, education and social work services to work together in a team to give support and help to children and families.
For information on improving services for families with young disabled children, please visit the Early support website at www.earlysupport.org.uk
Downs Syndrome Liverpool - Parent Support Group, in conjunction with Dingle Lane Children Centre. - This newly renamed group will meet on the first Monday of every month from 12.30-2.30pm (or second Monday if the first is a bank holiday). For further information please contact Rena Wright on 0151 281 7114, or contact any of the children centre team.
Drop in support for families with children with Special Educational Needs - we are holding drop in sessions offering information and support to parents of children under 5 with additional needs or disabilities. If you have concerns about your childs development and want to know what help is out there, please drop in at the following times. Wednesday 13th January 2010 9.30-12.00pm, Tuesday 2nd February 1.00-4.00pm or Tuesday 9th March 1.00-4.00pm. Further dates to follow. These sessions are led by a worker from the Neigbourhood Early Years Team.
Community Physiotherapy - Alder Hey Hospital are now running two sessions per week here in Dingle Lane, Monday 9.00-12.00 and Wednesday 1.00-4.00pm. All appointments through Alder Hey Hospital.
Therapy sessions for children with Down Syndrome - a multidisciplinary therapy group for children with a diagnosis of Down Syndrome, who are not yet walking independantly will take place on a monthly basis on thr third Friday of each month between 1.30-3.00pm. (15th January, 19th February, 19th March and 16th April 2010). Drop in for advice and support regarding your childs development.
Relate - offering counselling for families, will be returning to our centre every Wednesday morning from January 2010. To make an appointment please ring 01606350995, or speak to a member of the children centre team.
Employment Services
Job Centre Plus - Are you interested in work or training but you're worried about childcare or how it might affect your income? At Dingle Lane Children Centre we liaise closley with New Deal Personal Advisor's. They are now on site every Wednesday 10.00-3.00pm, and will be able to offer advice, help and support on: Finding a job: Looking for childcare: Identifying training opportunities: Understanding what financial help you may be entitled to.
Reed in Partnership - will also be available on site every Monday from 1.00-4.00pm to discuss any employment issues.
Connexions - need help and support to boost your skills, job prospects and open up new opportunities, then come along to Dingle Lane on a Friday morning (9.30-12.00pm) from 15th January 2010. Book an appointment ot just drop in.
Liverpool Childcare and Family Information Service (CAFIS)
This service provides free information on registered childcare provision in the area. CAFIS is also working with Job Centre Plus to support people who want to go back into work or training. A new programme of support includes childcare chats to explain the different options available to you.
With up to five free Childcare Taster Sessions for parents who are eligible for New Deal for Lone Parents, New Deal for Partners and Employment Zone Recruitment Services.
Information Kiosk - we now have a City Council kiosk on site to give access to all council services, or look for jobs, or just send an email or texts. The kiosk is situated in the reception area. If you need any help in using it, then just ask a member of the centre team to assist.
Parental participation
Snack and Chat - It is important for the success of the Children Centre for parents to help inform us as to what services are required, and what you think about our current services. Come and join our "Snack and Chat" to talk about your children centre. Refreshments will be provided. Our next session is planned for Friday 19th February 2010 between 11.00-12.00am. Come along and have free refreshments with us. Both adults and children are most welcome.
Home Safety - receive free smoke alarms and a home fire safety check. Just complete a form and the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service will carry out the work totally free. Full details from the children centre team or phone 0800 731 5958.
Home Safety Equipment - are you in in receipt of benefits, including Job Seekers Allowance, DLA, Housing Benefit etc, and have a child under 5 years of age. Then contact Dingle Lane Children Centre for further details, and see if you are eligible for home safety equipment. This could include safety gates, fire guard, cupboard locks, window restictors etc.
Energy Efficiency and advice - Energy efficiency is about using energy in your home in a way to make sure you are warm and comfortable; but not wasting this valuable resource and, at the same time, your money. For more information visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/environment/energy
Domestic violence - The Freedom Programme is open to any women who wish to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse. For further information please contact Gaynor or Mary on 0800 083 7114 or 0151 448 0720 or speak to a member of the children centre team.
Trips.
Over the last four years we have visited Knowsley Safari Park, and participated in the "Big Toddle". It was a very succesful day and enjoyed by all. We also ran a trip to Farmer Teds, in Ormskirk, in October 06 and again was very successful and enjoyed by all. We also had a great day out at Chester Zoo in March 07 and Gulliver's World in June 07. At Christmas 07 we visited "Santa" on the steam train in Llangollen. We also visited the Blue Planet Aquarium in March 08, and no one was eaten by the sharks! We also visited Greenacre Farm in July 08. Another great day! To cellebrate christmas 08, we visited Father Christmas in Chester Zoo, and in March 09 we returned to Farmer Teds by popular demand! In August 09 we travellled to Martin Mere and by luck the sun shone! Another great educational day out. We visited (December 09) a Panto and enjoyed live theatre at Crosby Civiv Hall watching Alice in Wonderland, and also visited Knowsley Safari Park and enjoyed a special Santa themed sea lion show, as well as the wild animals.
Please watch out for further trips, as places are always limited and have to be booked. Due to usual heavy demand, priority will be given to families who use our services on a regular basis.
Parentline Plus - if you want to talk to someone confidentially about parenting issues then you can call Parentline on 0808 800 2222 for free and confidential talk. Or visit their website on www.parentlineplus.org.uk or talk to any of the children centre team.
For full programme details please view the current program document![(PDF [144.8Kb] opens in new window)](/images/PDF.gif)
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You can find our current newsletter here.
Coming Soon!
These services will also be rolled out in 2010
- Noddy in Toyland, a visit to the Empire theatre on Tuesday 16th February at 10.30am for an exciting day in Toy Town. Suitable for children over two and a half years. Book your place as they are very limited
- Clive Cole, muscian and story teller will be returning to us on Wednesday 17th February 09 at 10.00am and 1.00pm. Come and see Clive in action. Clive will also be returning to us on 25th March 2010.
- Tropical Inc, will also be returning to us on Monday 1st March at our Stay and Play and our monthly Downs group.
- First Notes - two 60 minute workshops with the Royal Philharmonic at Dingle Lane. On Wednesday 17th March 2010, 9.30am for 0-2 years, and 11.00 for 2-4 years. Places are limited so please book early.
- Duck Bus - see Liverpool as you have never seen it before. Join us on a trip around Liverpool. Dates available are:Tuesday 23rd March at 10.00am and Wednesday 21st April at 1.30pm. Book your place. Further dates in May and June 2010.
- Look out Jo puppet show will be here on 2nd June 2010. Watch out for further information.
- Snack right events to encourage healthy eating, will take place on Tuesday 11th May and on Tuesday 15th June 2010, between 9.30-11.30am. Come along and have some fun and eat healthier at the same time.
- Working with PSS on various issues. This could include a sibling group. We can also make referral to PSS for "stressed mums". Details from the centre team.
- Dental Health Screening - come and see our community Dental Health worker for advice and guidance with regard to dental hygiene. Look out for dates in the autumn.
- Healthy Adventures - look out for a special sporting session that we are going to run on the morning of Thursday 15th April 2010. This is aimed at children over 18 months and you will need to book your place as they are limited.
Watch this space for other services.
All our facilities bring together a range of services for children and families and encourage full inclusion of children with disabilities or special educational needs.
Don't forget we are open 50 weeks of the year!
Contact information
Call in or phone
Dingle Lane Children Centre
Matthew Arnold Primary School
Dingle Lane
Liverpool
L8 9UB
Telephone: 0151 233 4930
Fax: 0151 233 4901
Email: dinglelane.childrenscentre@liverpool.gov.uk
Web: www.liverpool.gov.uk/childrenscentres
(Last updated 8.2.10)