Decision - Phase 3 Children's Centres

1.       That the development of the Westdene Children’s Centre at Westdene Primary School (£260,000) be agreed.

2.       That the development of the Saltdean and Rottingdean Children’s Centre at Boomerang Kids, Saltdean (£150,000) be agreed.

3.       That the extensions to the Roundabout Children’s Centre in Whitehawk (£350,000), the Hollingdean Children’s Centre base in Shenfield Way (£200,000), and the Hangleton Park Children’s Centre (£200,000) be agreed.

1.       Westdene Primary School – the development will improve the reception area for the school and Children’s Centre and will include a large meeting room, one to one room and disabled toilet.  The School has a nursery and is very keen to work more closely with the local community.

2.               Preston Park – negotiations are still underway with a potential location. 

3.               Saltdean – Boomerang Kids is the recommended option because Boomerang Kids providers child care all year round for children 2-4 and has an outstanding’ Ofsted judgement.  It is situated in the middle of Saltdean, is highly visible to, and can be easily accessed by the local community.  The majority or parents prefer this option and the Children’s Centre will open in good time as the building work is already planned.

4.               Roundabout Extension – The extension will provide office space for 11 staff. This will enable social work staff to be co-located into the Children’s Centre to facilitate more integrated working and therefore better service delivery for families. The increased space will allow staff to move from the ground floor to free up rooms for public access, groups and activities.

5.               Shenfield Way refurbishment – Shenfield Way is a Council owned building close to and used by the Hollingdean Children’s Centre.  The refurbishment will increase the amount of office space.  This will allow staff to relocate from the Hollingdean building and free up space for parent and child activities.  It will also accommodate the Preston Park team who are based in a leased building and save £10,000 a year in rent. Bringing together the two teams will strengthen the two teams and improve cover for staff leave.

6.               Hangleton Park extension – the extension will increase the space in the group room to allow more parents and children to attend joint activities, improve the outside space for both the Children’s Centre and voluntary run playgroup next door and increase office space.

1.       Existing private, voluntary, independent or statutory services for children and families were asked to express an interest in hosting the Children’s Centres.  In Westdene and Preston Park there was just one expression of interest by the deadline.  There were four responses in Saltdean and local families were consulted on their views on the two leading options.  Over 500 questionnaires were sent to all families living in Rottingdean, Ovingdean, and Saltdean and questionnaires were taken to Saltdean School, Boomerang Kids, G.P surgeries and all other childcare providers in the area. There were 139 questionnaires completed. Of those 70% said that the Children’s Centre should be located with Boomerang Kids in Saltdean Barn. 30% favoured Saltdean Primary School. The Deans Children’s Centre Team have also stated that they prefer Boomerang Kids as a location.