Early years centre 'a lifeline'

By Katherine Sellgren
BBC News Online education staff

The centre helped Sandra combat depression

As inspectors praise early excellence centres, BBC News Online examines what one such centre in London has to offer parents and children.

For Sandra Soteriou, the Thomas Coram early excellence centre near King's Cross has been a lifeline, offering her emotional support and an opportunity to meet other mothers.

"It's been everything to me, it's really good and I'm so lucky to have this facility," said Sandra, who comes to the centre with her 17-month-old son Luke.

"I was really quite depressed - I'm from the States and was missing my family, I didn't know anyone and I had the baby blues, but this has changed my life. I'm so happy I found it."

She is not alone in her praise for the parents' centre. Myrvete Gashi started coming to the centre for baby massage classes three years ago when her son was born. Now she brings her 19-month-old daughter along too.

Myrvete Gashi first attended baby massage classes at the centre

"I've met lots of friends here and I've been coming two or three times a week. They have the best things here and when I wake up, even if it's cold and raining, I can just come here," she said.

"Yes, it's a lifeline. Part of my life is here. You meet other people, you can have a coffee and a chat."

The drop-in centre, which is just one part of the early excellence centre, is open every day for mothers and fathers and their under-fives. There are toys and a range of activities - from soft play to music sessions - on offer.

For Sara Ibrahim, the centre's garden is a major attraction, particularly in the warm weather.

"My flat doesn't have a garden so when I come here my son can play and run about."

Fathers' worker

More than 25 parents pop into the centre every day. As well as activities and toys for the children, mothers and fathers have access to facilities tailored to their needs.

Parenting classes have proved to be very popular and courses are also available in subjects such as computing, English and art. While parents are learning, staff care of their children in a crèche.

We also have a psychologist on site one day a week Caroline Quinlan

The centre also employs a fathers' worker who gives specific help and support for fathers in raising their offspring.

"It's about giving recognition to dads as parents, to support them around difficult issues and to encourage them to use the centre," said the deputy manager of the parents' centre, Caroline Quinlan.

"We also have a psychologist on site one day a week to support parents around any issues to do with their children or stuff to do with themselves as parents.

"Parents say, because this is offered in a friendly setting, it's easier to access than a psychologist somewhere else."

The centre also employs a music therapist who offers one-to-one help for children.

Day care nursery

The Thomas Coram centre runs a daycare nursery for under fives and runs after-school clubs and summer clubs for children up to the age of 11.

Lillian Garila has two children at the centre's nursery

The nursery is much like any other, but fees are adjusted according to a family's income.

Mother Lillian Garila says her two children, who speak Greek at home, have learned English at nursery.

"They've made friends here, have learned songs and numbers. They talk a lot about it at home.

"It's not just a facility to allow you to work, it's a home for them and I feel they've made a very good start in the first steps of their lives," says Lillian, who works as a lecturer and is also studying for a doctorate.

Diversity

The head of the centre, Bernadette Duffy, says the diversity of families that use its facilities is part of the secret of its success.

"We have asylum seeker families, refugees, people from the local centre for homeless families and we've got the middle-class working families," she said.

The centre has children from all walks of life

"It gets away from the stigma that this centre is only for families who are struggling or who have failed in some way."

Ms Duffy says the centre, which employs over 50 people, tries to adapt to the needs of the local community, rather than taking a "one-size fits all approach".

"If you can offer a universal element, it's a very good way of reaching out to families you wouldn't otherwise get. If you just have it labelled 'for the disadvantaged', then you miss out because no-one wants to say they are disadvantaged."

The downside, Ms Duffy admits, is a lot of fundraising. She says she has become an expert in writing applications for money.

The centre is partly funded by the London Borough of Camden, but many of the "frills", such as a music session leader, are paid for by charitable groups.