Organisations offering activities and support. For local information go to Coronavirus information.
Suffolk Advice and Support Service helpline: 0800 068 3131 for free financial advice or support.
Home, But Not Alone emergency helpline: 0800 876 6926 for urgent help
Click the links below for more information.
Health and Children’s Centres are places where families with young children under 5 can go to access a range of activities and support services, in a location that is handy for them.
FACEBOOK, please search as Kesgrave, Caterpillar and Rendlesham Children's Centres
TO CONTACT YOUR HEALTH VISITOR OR SCHOOL NURSE please contact the Suffolk Health & Children's Centre Hub 0345 607 8866 Email childrenshealth@suffolk.gov.uk
Our centres Services include: Effective links with Jobcentre Plus. Base for childminders to meet. Child and family health services. Support for children and parents with special needs. Family support and parental outreach services. Our team made up of Tracey Baldry, Children's Centre Coordinator (Woodbridge & Kesgrave Cluster). Petra Morgan and Karon Gaze, Health and Children's Centre Practioners, Jane Routledge and Deborah Foster, Health and Children's Centre Advisors. The children's centre operates a registration system. It just means filling out a form which we are happy to help you with. We look forward to meeting you and telling you about all the exciting opportunities for children aged 0 - 5 years and their families.
Children’s Centre Name and Address:
Caterpillar Children’s Centre, 7 Cumberland St, Woodbridge IP12 4AH
Rendlesham Children’s Centre, Sycamore Drive, Rendlesham. IP12 2GF
Kesgrave Children’s Centre, 22 Bell Lane, Kesgrave. IP5 1JQ
Contact Details:
Caterpillar: 01394 388276
Rendlesham: 01394 462191
Kesgrave: 01473 265833
Email Address
How does Caterpillar, Rendlesham and Kesgrave Children’s Centres cater for children and families with special educational needs and/or disability?
Children's Centres are for families with children under five. In Suffolk we have joined up our Children’s Centre’s with our Health Visiting service, as we believe this will provide you with the best care and support. The Children's Centre teams are made up of Health Visitors, Family Support Practitioners and Support and Information officers.
At Caterpillar, Rendlesham and Kesgrave Children’s Centres, we are committed to promoting and providing high quality learning and play opportunities. We believe in valuing and respecting each individual in a welcoming, accessible and inclusive environment. The centre has an equal opportunity policy which is reviewed as a minimum yearly. We offer a range of universal and targeted support and services which are designed to meet the needs of all users.
Where possible, all our group activities are planned to meet individual children’s needs. We work within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, and will capture evidence of your child’s progress as she/he attends the centre. Play sessions will offer activities which can be arranged on different heights including floor level and we can adapt sessions to meet individual’s needs. All our toys and equipment are suitable for children aged 0 to 5 years and we have a range of specialist resources, including sensory equipment.
We offer a range of parenting courses to help support parents in managing challenging behaviours. Please see our timetable for a full lists of groups and for more information.
How will staff support my child's needs?
Staff are on hand during our activities and can offer help and support as required. One-to-one support is available for families in the home and we will work in partnership with you and other agencies in meeting your families and child’s individual needs. Your child is at the heart of our service, and should you require additional help, we will work with you to help identify any areas of concern, ensuring your child’s wishes and feelings are at the centre of the support. We are trained to use the Common Assessment Framework to ensure that we are able to undertake a good assessment of your child’s needs, recognising and building on their strengths.
Information, advice and guidance is available and we can help to signpost you to other relevant local services and support as required. These can include
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) which provides information, advice and support to young people and children with SEN or disabilities aged 0-25 and their parents, about education, health and social care
Suffolk Early Learning Together Service
Speech and Language Therapists
Behavioural Support Services
Specialist Services
When it is time for your child to start attending nursery or school, we can support you the transition period as we know this can be both challenging and an emotional time. Together, we can develop a transition passport which will help ensure that there is a smooth transition for you and your child.
What arrangements are in place to ensure that Caterpillar, Rendlesham and Kesgrave Children’s Centres are accessible for children and families with special educational needs and/or disability?
Our Centres are DDA compliant and are fully accessible from all entrances and exits. The site at Caterpillar has a disabled parking space at the back of the building.
The furniture within our centres is entirely moveable and adaptable allowing us the flexibility of creating and moving spaces if required. All resources and equipment are displayed at child-height, and are fully accessible, allowing children to make independent choices about their play.
What training or experience do the staff supporting children and young people with SEND have?
The centre is an inclusive setting with staff experienced and trained in early years care and education.
Staff Training undertaken includes
ECAT
Portage
Autistic Spectrum Disorder in the Early Years
WELLCOMM
Makaton
Working together with families with additional needs
Handling People with special needs
Incredible years 0-5
Who can I contact for further information?
Linda Mitchell – Health & Children’s Centre Manager 07789944454
