Fountains Children Centre
Fountains - A Sure Start Children Centre
Services at : Fountains Children Centre
Fountains Children Centre brings together a wide range of services for children from birth to 5 years old and their families, pregnant women and their partners. The centre is a one-stop shop bringing a range of services together within the community, including health, family support and ante-natal services for parents and carers. These services are for everyone within the Kirkdale Ward and beyond.
Activities timetable
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Education and Childcare
The team of staff are experienced and qualified to OFSTED standards and more than 50% have undergone First Aid training. The organisation is fully insured, registered, inspected annually and all our staff have completed Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks.
Out of School Club - St John's Out of School Club operates for children aged 5 to 11 years of age during the following hours:
- Breakfast Club - Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 8.55am. 50 Weeks of the year.
- Holiday Club - Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 5.45pm. During school holidays.
- After School Club - Monday to Friday: 3.15pm to 5.45pm. 50 Weeks of the year.
Child and Family Health Services
Young Mums (and young mums-to-be) - Friday afternoons 1.00-3.00pm (Drop in session)
Fountains Children's Centre Young Mums Group takes place every Friday afternoon between 1.00pm and 3.00pm for girls between the ages of 16 to 21 years old. The Group provides the ideal opportunity for young mums and their babies, and mums-to-be to get together in the relaxed atmosphere of the centre, and share their experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and child care.
The Group is led by a Family Link Worker. She is there to offer support, encouragement, advice and information to young mums, and mums-to-be on a variety of topics and can signpost the young mums if specialist support is required. She will also introduce the group to the wide range of activities that they can join in with at the Fountains Children's Centre such as Baby Massage and Babbling Babies.
The Young Mums group meet in the Family Room, which is designed to welcome parents and their children. The setting is warm, relaxing and comfortable with lots of child friendly and educational toys that even the very youngest baby will be able to experience and explore.
There is plenty of advice for the young mums about pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a baby and support can be offered on a one-to-one basis. During the sessions other topics about family health and well-being are covered such as:
- post-natal depression
- housing and benefits,
- sexual health awareness
- drug and alcohol awareness
- family planning
- self-esteem
- home safety
- Eating disorders.
The Womens Health Information and Support Centre (Whisc) have recently visited the group to give advice about building personal confidence and leading a healthy lifestyle. The Group is also visited by people who can give advice about training and employment.
The Children's Centre Midwife and Midwifery Support Officer are present at every session to explain all about childbirth, including the stages of labour and pain relief, and they also give advice about feeding, breast feeding, safe-sleeping and bathing a new born baby.
There is antenatal care available at the centre for the mum-to-be and the Midwife will do check ups and listen to baby's heartbeat.
After the birth, the young mum can bring her baby along to be weighed by the Midwifery Team who will also offer support or advice about breast-feeding. Visits at home can be arranged if further support is required.
Laura, who is 20 and has two young children, attends the group regularly and says; "The Young Mums group gives me the chance to get out of the house and talk to other young mums."
Amanda who is 21 says, "My Health Visitor told me about the Young Mums Group at the Centre and arranged for the Family Link Worker to visit me at home, she invited me to the group and I decided to go and see what it was like. I enjoy it as it gives me something to do. I meet other young mums in the same situation as me and I am now taking part in lots of other baby activities with my daughter Grace aged six months."
If you are a young mum or a young mum-to-be between the ages of 16 and 21, this is an ideal way to meet other mums and babies and get all the expert help and support you and your baby need. There is no need to book you can just come along to the session on Friday afternoon and you will be made to feel very welcome.
A free healthy and nutritious lunch is provided.
Early Days Baby Care - Monday afternoons 12.30-2.30pm (Drop in session)
The Early Days Baby Care group takes place at Fountains Children's Centre. This group is for parents/ carers and their babies up to the age of one.
The group is led by a team of health visitors who will offer you expert advice and guidance about caring for a baby including topics such as:
- feeding
- weaning
- sleeping
- weighing
- teething
- establishing a routine.
The Early Days Baby Care group meet in the Family Room at the Children's Centre, which is very welcoming for parents and children. The Family Room is relaxing and comfortable and there are lots of child friendly toys and educational play equipment for babies from birth.
The parents and carers can get together and share their experiences of caring for a young baby including the first smiles and sleepless nights!
If you care for a baby under the age of one, please feel welcome to just come along to the group on Monday afternoons - there is no need to book.
Post-natal Drop In - Tuesday afternoons 1.00-4.00pm
This new service is being provided for you at the Fountains Children's Centre. The midwife is based in the well-equipped Health Room to help you with a post-natal check and to weigh the baby. If it is more convenient, you have the choice to be visited by the Community Midwife at home.
Musical Minis
Musical Minis is a fun time music group for babies and toddlers of ages ranging from as young as six months to preschool.
Each structured session introduces music and percussion to children in a relaxed group atmosphere. It concentrates on rhythm, song, sound and movement to encourage early musical expression and creates a world of music for children.
The action songs and nursery rhymes used by Musical Minis are excellent for language development and co-ordination. Repetition contributes to an early education in counting and in the recognition of the parts of the body.
This service is on Tuesday mornings. Please ring the Fountains Centre on 0151 233 4741 for more details.
Gym Tots
We are currently running Gym Tots in St.John's Primary School on Wednesday
Gym tots is a class that stimulates interactive play between parents or carers and their children. It helps to encourage exploration in sound, shape and space. Each session lasts 45 minutes and is suitable for children aged between 12 months to 4 years. Qualified staff supervise each session and ensure the experience is co-ordinated in a safe and exciting environment in line with KS1 which develops co-ordination, improved flexibility and strength. The classes encourage the children to interact with each other and they promote fun and enjoyment for both the parent/carer and the child as they work together in the session.
Baby Ballet
Toddlers and children are encouraged to develop and explore their ability to move, sing and dance further as they progress through the Tiny Toes syllabus. Still with their main carer by their side, these classes are lots of fun and involve lots of smiles and laughter! The basics of ballet are introduced. The dances and songs are thoroughly enjoyed by the little ones and the proud adults alike!
Walking Club
This service takes place every Monday afternoon.
Two qualified leaders have undertaken NHS training to support this service. The walks are risk assessed and every week we visit somewhere different. This popular service needs no childcare as parents/carers take their children on the walks with them. Parents look forward to this service as it helps to improve both their general health and that of their children. It helps them keep fit and control their weight. Walking also helps recovery after a period of ill health.
Parents Forum and Craft Sessions
Friday afternoons
The session starts with the Parents forum. At the forum, parents are encouraged to share ideas regarding the services that we provide and the services that they wish to see at the centre.
Family Support and Community Outreach
Stay and Play
Stay and Play Sessions at the centre are planned to deliver a wide range of experiences to children and families which facilitate and promote physical, intellectual, emotional and social development.
Planning takes into consideration the new Early Years foundation stage curriculum
At our stay and play, sessions we aim to offer high quality play and learning experiences that provide opportunities for social interaction for families by providing a range of help, support and information. For more information call 0151 233 4741.
Counselling Services
People can be very kind and considerate if you break an arm or leg. However, what if your pain is deep inside and you want to cry? You feel confused. You feel you have lost control or feel overwhelmed.
Friends and family try to be kind and understanding while others tell you to "Pull yourself together". Why not try a counsellor? This service is private and confidential. You can come just by yourself and be welcomed into a safe and caring environment.
Our counsellor covers areas such as:
- Bereavement and loss
- Depression & post-natal depression
- Anxiety management & panic attacks
- All general matters including medical advice
Fathers Club
This is an exciting new joint venture between Fountains Children's Centre and Vauxhall Children's centre for all male carers including Dads, Grandfather who look after children living within the Fountains and Vauxhall area of the city
Job Centre Plus
Date and times to be arranged.
Are you interested in work or training but you're worried about childcare or how it might affect your income? At Fountains Children's Centre a New Deal Personal advisor will be able to offer advice, help and support on:
- inding a job
- Looking for childcare
- Identifying training opportunities
- Understanding what financial help you may be entitled to.
Liverpool Childrens Information Service (LCIS)
This service provides free information on registered childcare provision within the area. LCIS is also working in partnership 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 and up to five free taster sessions for parents who are eligible for New Deal for Lone Parents, New Deal for Partners and Employment Zone Recruitment Services.
Child Minder Network
Fountains Children Centre is presently developing a network in conjunction with Vauxhall Children Centre. We will keep you informed of progress as it happens.
Coming Soon!
Babbling Babies.
Babbling Babies is a six-week course especially for babies under twelve months. The sessions are held in the Family Room at Fountains Children's Centre where you and your baby will feel welcome and relaxed. You learn how to communicate well with your baby and how to respond to your baby's needs from birth. The sessions involve plenty of fun with craft activities, song time and discovery time. There is also information and guidance on play and activities which will help with your baby's development.
During the session, it is also a good time to look at, and discuss your baby's development and receive advice and support from our qualified centre staff.
If you wish to book a place on the course for Babbling Babies, please phone the Children's Centre.
Baby Massage
Baby massage started at the children's centre almost two years ago. In that time, we have met many families.
Massage classes give new parents the chance to meet other new parents in their area and introduce them to the children's centre and the ongoing activities in which they and their families can become involved.
Baby Massage classes encourage parents to have one to one time with their babies which helps with the bonding process. It also has many health benefits for both the parents and babies because it relieves the tension caused by a crying baby.
The babies also benefit because the massage helps the babies build up their resistance to infection.
A special massage routine is followed to treat wind, colic and constipation. The massage really helps to alleviate these problems and so the families have a relaxed contented baby. All the instructors are qualified and all the massage strokes are research based
Getting ready for nursery
A 5-week course for parent/carers and their children aged two and a half to three years.
We can help with:
- Turn taking
- Speaking and listening
- Attention
Little Listeners
A 6-week course for parent/carers and their children aged one to two and a half years.
Breast Feeding Support
Are you considering breast-feeding your baby? Would you like more advice?
Are you breast-feeding a baby and you wish to meet other breast-feeding mums or do you just want some extra support?
Breast Feeding support group
Are you breast feeding your baby, or are you considering breastfeeding and wish to share experience with other mums in the same position as you, Fountains Childrens Centre will be starting a Breast feeding support group. Please contact the centre on 0151 233 4741 for further details
Contact Details
Fountains Children Centre
Fountains Road
Kirkdale
Liverpool
L4 1QH
Telephone: 0151 233 4741
Fax: 0151 233 4760
Email: FountainsChildrensCentre@liverpool.gov.uk
Web: www.liverpool.gov.uk/childrenscentres