Children's Centres Consultation
Introduction
Table of proposed changes to children's centres
The table below provides details of the children’s centres that are currently in operation and that we are seeking your feedback on.
This table does not include children’s centres that have changed use over previous years.
| Locality | Children’s Centre | Further Information | Proposed use* |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | Wimborne | Previously a Children’s Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. In 2023, the centre was designated as a Family Hub and now offers additional support to families with children from 0 to 25 | Increased service offer from the centre |
| Corfe Mullen Children’s Centre (Library) | Previously a Children’s Centre outreach point providing support to families with children under 5 Years. In 2023, the centre was designated as a Family Hub network point and now offers additional support to families with children from 0 to 25 | Increased service offer from the centre | |
| Upton (Library) | Previously a Children’s Centre outreach point providing support to families with children under 5 Years. In 2023, the centre was designated as a Family Hub network point and now offers additional support to families with children from 0 to 25 | Increased service offer from the centre | |
| Purbeck | Swanage | Previously a Children’s Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. In April 2024, the centre was designated as a Family Hub and now offers additional support to families with children from 0 to 25 | Increased service offer from the centre |
| Wareham Children’s Centre | Children's Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. Services are being relocated into the new Family Hub in Wareham, which will offer an increased service for families | Early education / Childcare provision | |
| Bovington Children’s Centre | Children's Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. Services will be relocated into a nearby community venue which will offer an increased service for families | Early education / Education / Childcare Provision | |
| Dorchester | Poundbury Children’s Centre | Children's Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. Services have been relocated into the new Family Hub in Dorchester which will offer an increased service for families | No further use of this building by Dorset Children’s Services |
| Broadmayne Children’s Centre | Children’s Centre currently offering preschool provision | No change to current offer | |
| Chesil (Weymouth and Portland) | Bincombe Valley Children’s Centre | Children’s Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. The centre will be designated as a Family Hub and will offer additional support to families with children from 0 to 25 | Increased service offer from the centre |
| Westham Children’s Centre | Originally a Children’s Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. Over recent years has been used for early education | No change to current offer | |
| Mulberry Children’s Centre | Children's Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. Services will be relocated into the new Family Hub in Weymouth (venue to be confirmed) which will offer an increased service for families | No further use of this building by Dorset Children’s Services | |
| Outlooks Children’s Centre | Children's Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. Services will be relocated into the new Family Hub in Portland which will offer an increased service for families | No further use of this building by Dorset Children’s Services | |
| West | Beaminster Children’s Centre | Previously a Children’s Centre. Children’s Centre services not currently being delivered from this centre. Prout Bridge Youth Project operate from building | No change to current offer |
| Lyme Regis Children’s Centre | Previously a Children’s Centre. Limited service offer currently being delivered from this centre. These services will relocate to St Michael’s Primary School (on same site) | Early education / Childcare provision | |
| Bridport | Previously a Children’s Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. In 2023, the centre was designated as a Family Hub and now offers additional support to families with children from 0 to 25 | Increased service offer from the centre | |
| North | Sherborne Children’s Centre | Children’s Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years. Services to continue to be delivered, but management of the building to be held with the voluntary organisation that manage the site that the children’s centre is based on, rather than Dorset Council | No change to current offer |
| Shaftesbury Children’s Centre | Children’s Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years and early education provision. Some services to relocate to local community venues (to be confirmed) | Early education / Childcare provision | |
| Blandford Children’s Centre | Children’s Centre providing support to families with children under 5 Years including early education provision | No change to current offer |
*Please note that proposals are subject to the outcome of this consultation and also identification of suitably qualified education / childcare providers and agreement of contractual terms. We propose that all children’s centres that continue to operate as detailed above, are designated and renamed as Family Hub Network Points, enabling increased access to information and support for families with children of all ages.