The Children's Centre in Reading provide families with children under 5 with access to a range of services and support in their local area. This includes:

• Meeting other new parents
• Support for new parents
• Advice on your child’s health with services such as child health clinics and breastfeeding or healthy eating support.
• Family support like parenting classes, first aid courses
• Information and advice on benefits, work and training

The West Cluster Children’s Centres provide childcare, early education, adult education health visitor support, community midwives and family support services. 

Reading’s children’s centres are mostly located in single storey buildings. There are wide access points and ramps to facilitate wheelchair users. Disabled toilet and change facilities are available. We do deliver from a number of community buildings as part of our outreach service so it is advisable to check with individual cluster programmes for a specific access query as provision differs from site to site. 

Reading’s children’s centres provides universal services for pregnant mothers and families where there are children under the age of 1 year old . For activities in the local area for toddlers and children 2-5 years please see (Parent & Toddler groups)   

Specific guidelines around age ranges and restrictions can be found on individual cluster programmes. Targeted family support and parenting is available via referrals. To refer please 

CSPoA

Contact the Children's Centre for information on new parents groups and support for families with children under 5 years old. For specific support around budgeting and parenting please refer via CSPoA 

There are no charges for the under 1s groups although some have a suggested donation 

In the first instance we ask that you speak to staff present or the children’s centre manager if you have concerns or a complaint to make.

Should you feel that your complaint has not been adequately dealt with then there is a complaints procedure for Brighter Futures for Children. Please see link below.

https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/about/compliments-and-complaints/

Reading’s children’s centres are committed to safeguarding children.

We have robust and safeguarding policies and procedures which ensure that we safeguard and promote the welfare of children effectively. Staff and volunteers understand that it is every child’s basic right to feel safe, secure and protected from any situation or practice that may cause them harm.  We recognise our legal and ethical duty to promote the well-being of children at the centre and take appropriate action where we have concerns.

Copies of our policies are procedures are readily available to share. 

West Cluster Children’s Centre

The west cluster has two children’s centres

West Children’s Centre is made up of Ranikhet as the hub and Battle library as the satellite

Ranikhet Children’s Centre, Thurso Road Reading RG30 4YH; Tel: 07870 155 290; email: Reading.ChildrenCentres@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Visit https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/under-5/childrens-centres/ for up to date programme of activities.

Reading Children's Centres are inclusive in all of our sessions running across the borough.

• West Reading Cluster support SEN children and their families through our F.A.M.I.L.Y groups with specialist support, advice and guidance for parents/carers
• Tiny Talkers sessions to support speech and language development (SLT) run from Ranikhet CC each week for parents to attend if they have any SLT concerns for their child.
• Midwifery runs 7 days per week from Ranikhet CC.
• Health visiting teams are delivering child health reviews from Ranikhet CC.
• Families and settings can refer into CSPoA for any early help support: Children's Single Point of Access (CSPoA) ~ Referral Form or contact Tel: 0118 9373641
• Reading Children’s Centres provide a universal service in partnership with health to support parents both antenatally and postnatally. New parents groups are delivered to support parents/carers with children under 1 year old.  Information is provided on sleep, weaning, behaviour, toilet training, routines and behaviour.
• Targeted services in Reading Children's Centres are offered on a 1-1 basis through parenting support and various groups.