Sunshine Autumn Calendar 2013 - Milton Keynes Council

Special sessions this term
19th & 26th September, 11.30am - 12.30pm, Employability Workshops – information
on CV writing skills and interview techniques with a Careers Guidance Adviser. Free
crèche provided.
25th September, 10.00am - 11.30am , Smoking Cessation drop-in – free advice and
support to stop smoking from the MK Stop Smoking specialist advisers.
16th October, 10.00am - 11.30am, Healthy Eating Advice session – If you have a
query on any aspect of healthy eating come along and meet with one of our
community dietitians.
22nd October, 11.30am - 12.30pm, Bin the bottle, dump the dummy session
It is recommended to stop using a dummy or bottle by the time your child is 12
months old. This session will give you ideas and tips on how to help your child switch
to a lidless cup to promote language development and reduce oral health problems.
1st November, 9.30am - 11.00am, Oral Health Information session - Did you know
that one in three 5 year olds in Milton Keynes has filled, missing or decayed teeth?
Come along and meet with the Oral Health Promotion Team and find out how to keep
your children’s teeth healthy.
15th November, 11.45am - 1.00pm, Healthy Eating for expectant & new Mums - this
session from our community dietitians will give you information on breast and formula
feeding and weaning for your baby and healthy weight management for you.
21st November, 11.30am - 12.30pm, Weaning your Baby Information session – Are
you confused about when to start weaning, portion sizes and what are the best foods
to give to your baby? This session will give you all the information you need to start
weaning.
26th November, 11.30am - 12.30pm, Fussy Eating Advice session – do you find it
difficult to get you child to eat healthy, nutritious meals? Come along for tips and
advice and recipes to make meals interesting and fun.
Job Centre Plus (JCP) and Children’s Centres are
working in partnership to support lone parents.
How to find Us
Parent Forum and Advisory Board
Sunshine Children’s Centre
Dulverton Drive
Furzton
Milton Keynes
MK4 1EZ
T: 01908 508566
E: furzton.childrenscentre
@milton-keynes.gov
We always value your input in making future decisions so we get it right for you and
your family and would invite you to join our Parent Forum or Advisory Board. For
further information, please contact the centre.
The Freedom programme
Are you feeling safe at home in your relationship?
Would you like to access help and support?
Please speak to a member of the Sunshine team in complete confidence on 01908
508566.
Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults
Pebbles are committed to the safeguarding of all children and adults who
use the centre and follows local safeguarding board procedures.
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk
Sunshine Children’s Centre
Activity Calendar
September – December 2013
Open : Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk
Information sessions offering advice on finances, childcare options, CV writing,
training, employability, and much more are being held at local children’s centres.
All eligible lone parents will receive an invitation to attend. For information about the
sessions please contact Lynne McLuckie on 01908 975254 or for other information
about JCP services visit: www.dwp.gov.uk
Available in audio, large print,
braille and other languages
01908 508566
M13390

Welcome to Sunshine Children’s Centre
The Sunshine team is:
Anne Train
Centre Coordinator
Caroline McQuillan Family Support Worker
Norma Runa
Family Support Worker
Jeanna Cooper
Administrator
We are situated next to Merebrook Infant School on Dulverton Drive, Furzton and we
are here to offer information and support to all families with children under 5 in our
local area: Furzton, Emerson Valley, Knowlhill, Shenley Brook End and Shenley Lodge.
Anyone who is expecting a baby or who has a child under five years old in their family
is welcome to use our services.
We will ask you to register with us as this helps us plan our services and also helps to
keep you up to date with what we have to offer.
We recognise the importance of the early years of a child’s life and the essential part
that families play in this. Our aim is to give every child the best possible start in life by
working in partnership with parents, carers, family support, health, training, education
and childcare services.
We offer a range of activities and services at the children’s centre and local venues in
our reach area. Our sessions are a good opportunity for families with children aged 0-5
years to play and learn together and make new friends. If you require any more
information on any of our activities please contact us. Some of the sessions must be
booked in advance for safety reasons and we also welcome a voluntary contribution
towards costs.
Our family support team can help when family life becomes stressful by offering 1:1
support either at the centre or in your home. We can also signpost families to a variety
of support services, including employment support and childcare options. We can
support you to access free early education and childcare for 2 year olds subject to
certain criteria. Local childminder information can also be obtained from the centre.
We promote healthy eating and a healthy snack and drink will be available for your
children at most of our sessions and we would ask that you support us with this.
We work closely with our neighbouring children’s centres – Little Owls at Oxley Park
and Seedlings at Grange Farm. This enables us to share resources and staff expertise,
thus providing effective support to more families.
Booking line: 07920 576679
For all sessions that are bookable, please ring or text on Friday between 9am-
1pm for sessions held the following week (text preferred).
Please give your name, child’s name, area you live and session(s) you wish to
book. We will text you back from 2pm on Friday.
Priority will be given to families who live in the reach area.
Monday
Sunshine Mums Matter NEW TIME
Now fortnightly on 1st and 3rd Mondays starting
7th October
10.00am - 11.30am
In partnership with Women and Work. This
group is for you if you want to meet other
parents and learn new skills and build selfconfidence.
Free crèche available.
This is a bookable session.
Ragdolly Annas
10.30am - 11.15am
at Shenley Brook End Village Hall, Church End
Road, Shenley Brook End MK5 7AA
Music and play session for babies and children
0-5 years and their parents.
Suggested contribution of £1.00 welcomed.
This is a bookable session.
Women Together NEW DAY
Fortnightly group starting 9th September
The 2nd and 4th Monday
11.00am - 12.30pm
If you are suffering from or have suffered from
antenatal or postnatal depression this is a
friendly, informal support group where Mums
can discuss the joys and challenges of
parenthood. Varied program of activities with
crèche available at some sessions.
Action Kids
1.30pm - 2.15pm
This is an activity session with parents and
children working together to promote all
aspects of physical development.
Suggested donation of £1.00 welcomed.
This is a bookable session.
Parent Craft / Ante-natal classes
6.30pm - 8.30pm
These sessions must be booked through your
midwife.
Tuesday
Baby Massage
9.30am - 10.45am
4 week course - starts 24th September
Please ask for dates of further courses
Please speak to your health visitor if you are
interested in attending this course.
Grandparents Group
10.00am - 11.30am
This is a group especially for you if you are a
grandparent caring for your grandchild and
would like to meet with other grandparents
and find out more about how to support your
grandchild’s learning and development.
This is a bookable session.
Wednesday
Stay and Play NEW TIME
10.00am - 11.30am
For children aged 18 months - 5 years (and
younger siblings)
This session is about parents and carers
working alongside their children in a range of
learning experiences and offers all round
support to help your child’s development
along with sharing ideas and supporting each
other. Priority will be given to families living
in the reach area. This is a bookable session.
Citizens Advice Bureau NEW SESSION
Fortnightly starting 11th September
9.00am - 1.00pm
If you would like free, impartial advice from a
CAB adviser please call the centre to make an
appointment.
Speech and Language Support
6th November
9.15am - 11.45am
Katie, a speech and language therapist will be
here if you have any queries on your child’s
language development. Please contact the
centre to make an appointment to see Katie.
Wednesday contd.
Pyjama Drama NEW SESSION
Starting 25th September
1.45pm - 2.30pm
At Long Meadow School, Garthwaite Crescent,
Shenley Brook End MK5 7XX. Drama and
creative play session for children 2 - 4 yrs.
This is a bookable session.
Socatots
3.45pm - 4.30pm
Socatots is a soccer-specific physical play
programme for children from 2 to 4 years.
It improves motor skills, balance and
coordination as well as being fun.
This is a bookable session.
Thursday
Baby Clinic
9.30am - 11.15am
An opportunity to meet with your Health
Visitor and have your baby weighed. For
babies up to 12 months.
Breastfeeding support
1st & 3rd Thursdays
11.30am - 12.30pm
For Mums-to-be who are thinking of
breastfeeding and new Mums who are
breastfeeding. This is a friendly, informal
group where you can meet other Mums and
share hints and tips and access information,
support and guidance. Supported by one of
our local Health Visitors.
Nurturing Programme NEW COURSE
Starting 19th September for 10 weeks
At Little Owls Children’s Centre, Oxley Park
12.30pm - 2.30pm
Are you struggling with parenting? Would
you like to learn to nurture yourself and your
family? Free course with crèche provided. To
find out more please call the centre on 01908
508566.
Thursday contd.
Knitting Group NEW DAY & TIME
2nd & 4th Thursdays
11.00am - 12.30pm
Do you knit or would you like to learn? Come
and join our friendly group of knitters. All
materials provided and children welcome.
Friday
Sunbeams for Babies and Toddlers
NEW SESSION
9.30am - 11.00am
For children from birth to 18 months
An opportunity to meet other mums and take
part in activities with your baby and toddler.
There are a wide range of activities for parents
and children to take part in together to
support your child’s development.
Priority will be given to families living in the
reach area. This is a bookable session.
Family Finances NEW COURSE
Starting 20th September for 6 weeks
12.15pm - 2.15pm
In partnership with ACE. This course is for you
if you would like some support with managing
your finances better. Free crèche and lunch
provided.
Saturday
Monthly Group for Dads and
working Parents
3rd Saturday of the month
(in conjunction with Seedlings CC, Grange
Farm and Little Owls, Oxley Park)
10.30am - 11.30am
Join us for an Action Kids session
21st Sept - Sunshine, 19th Oct - Seedlings,
16th Nov - Sunshine, 14th Dec - Seedlings
For more details please contact the centre on
01908 508566.