Flying Start Children’s Centre

Delivering children’s centre services in Antenatal, Postnatal, Parenting

Child Health and Development

Advice and Information For families living in Luton For details of times and venues see the Flying Start website www.flyingstartluton.com All information correct at time of publication www.flyingstartluton.com Welcome to Luton’s Flying Start Children’s Centre

Luton Council works in partnership with midwives, health visitors and other health and early years services in order to deliver a range of activities and services that aim to improve life chances for all of our under-fives.

This guide is designed to help parents choose which of the many activities and services on the Flying Start Children’s Centre’s timetable will be most useful for each stage of their child’s development.

Antenatal Activities specifically designed for expectant parents. Come along to help you and your partner prepare for your baby’s arrival.

2 Postnatal Aimed at parents with babies up to 6 months old, covering essentials for the new parent and baby.

Child Health and Development Children’s centre activities directly linking to the different stages of early years’ development, to help give your child a solid foundation for learning.

Parenting Flying Start delivers a range of evidence based parenting programmes for different stages and needs, giving you a head start and supporting you to feel confident as a parent.

Advice and Information Children’s centres are here to help. Staff can offer advice to families with any queries and/or signpost to other services for specialist support where needed.

[email protected] Antenatal

Bump to Babe

Suitable for Expectant mothers and partner Frequency 3 Week Course, Weekly 2.5 hour session Free antenatal classes run by midwives, health visitors and children’s centre staff. The aim of the classes is to prepare expectant parents for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Please call or email to book a place: 01582 548 356 or [email protected] Bump to Babe for young parents is also available via your midwife.

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Pregnancy Club

Suitable for Expectant mothers from 8 weeks Frequency Monthly 2 hour session From early on in pregnancy up to the birth of your baby, the aim of the midwife led Pregnancy Club is to raise the confidence of new ‘mums to be’ regarding the birth of their baby. Women get the opportunity to meet other pregnant mums and build support networks, and will receive tips for a healthy pregnancy at our women only social evenings. There will also be a focus on key health messages from early on in pregnancy along with information on what is happening in Luton for families. Further information about booking can be found at the Flying Start website.

www.flyingstartluton.com Baby Buddy App The Baby Buddy App is your personal baby expert who will give you information to guide you through your pregnancy and the first six months of your baby’s life. It has been designed to help you give your baby the best start in life and support your health and wellbeing. The App gives you daily information about you and your baby, specific 4 to your stage of pregnancy and your baby’s age. It contains videos, reminders, expert advice and information on local services. Baby Buddy has been created with mums, midwives and doctors, so you can be sure that the information is reliable, accurate, and is available 24 hours a day. Free to download.

[email protected] Infant Feeding and Starting Solids – How the Flying Start Children’s Centre can support you

Infant feeding: The children’s centre offers a safe and comfortable environment for feeding your baby and trained staff can provide support and information for pregnant women and new mothers on breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Breastfeeding drop-in sessions are available to help support mothers with breastfeeding. Mums can come to the group if you have questions or concerns around breastfeeding, or if you want to meet other breastfeeding mums. Starting Solids information sessions (1.5 hours): For more information or to book your place visit the Flying Start website

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Feeding Your Newborn

Suitable for For pregnant women from 24 weeks Frequency Weekly session These relaxed small groups provide top tips, advice and support to prepare you for feeding your newborn baby. Partners are welcome. Places must be booked. For more information visit the Flying Start website.

www.flyingstartluton.com Postnatal – Babies up to 6 months

Take 5 Café

Suitable for Expectant parents and babies up to 6 months Frequency Weekly 1 hour session Take 5 cafés are informal small group sessions where expectant parents and parents/carers with children under 6 months are welcome. Each session is part of a rolling programme based on the Five to Thrive approach which highlights five key activities: Respond · Cuddle · Relax · Play · Talk 6 Staff provide practical advice, support and ideas for activities helping to support healthy personal, social and emotional development in your baby. Advice and support is available at the cafés on all aspects of parenting such as routines, breastfeeding and infant feeding (including starting solids), crying and sleep concerns. Staff are able to signpost you to other children’s centre activities such as baby massage, benefit and housing advice, and baby groups.

[email protected] Child Health Clinics – ‘Drop in’ Weighing and Advice

Suitable for All 0-5’s Frequency Weekly drop in session

Drop-in clinics run by the health visiting team. They offer advice and 7 support on your child’s development, feeding, starting solids and monitor the growth, health and wellbeing needs of babies and children. Please remember to bring your red book.

Baby Massage

Suitable for Parents and babies up to 6 months Frequency Please see children’s centre timetables Baby massage is evidenced to have many health benefits for your baby. At our sessions parents are able to learn massage techniques and receive guidance so that they can perform the routine at home. The fully interactive sessions give babies a chance to socialise, and parents/ carers to meet and make friends.

www.flyingstartluton.com Child Health and Development Activities

Stay and Play Suitable for Parents and under five’s Frequency Weekly 1.5 hour session Our stay and play sessions are opportunities for parents/carers to come along and meet other people with young children. A variety of age appropriate activities are available, such as messy play, soft play, stories and rhymes and lots more.

Child Health Clinic Suitable for All 0-5’s 8 Frequency Weekly 2 hour session These sessions are run in conjunction with the Health Visiting team and are important opportunities to see a health visitor and for health and development related support in a safe and comfortable setting. These are drop in sessions, please don’t forget to bring your red book.

Child Development Checks Suitable for 1 year old children Frequency By appointment You will be invited to attend a clinic to see your Health Visitor while your child is one and two years old. This is a chance to look at your child’s development with health professionals and find out about support available for your child’s age and stage of development.

[email protected] Baby Talk Suitable for Parent & baby under 1 Frequency Weekly 1 hour session Baby Talk offers parents/carers with babies under 12 months the opportunity to socialise and learn through play, taking part in a wide range of fun activities.

Messy Play Suitable for Parents and under 5’s Frequency Weekly Session Messy Play is important for young children, giving them endless ways to develop and learn. All types of play are crucial for children’s development and early learning. Children will discover an enormous number of opportunities for learning and play through investigating and exploring messy play activities.

9 Play and Learn (Peep) Suitable for Parents and under 5’s Frequency Weekly 1.5 hour session Open to all families for parents and their children to attend together. This session provides an opportunity for mums, dads and carers to access activities to support your children’s learning in everyday situations, using listening, talking, playing, singing, sharing books and most importantly having fun!

Think Baby Suitable for Parents and Baby under 1 Frequency Weekly 1.5 hour session Focused on the relationship between you and your baby, this session provides a calm and relaxed environment where staff will be able to help you develop positive interactions and improved attachment.

www.flyingstartluton.com Five to Thrive

We all know that children need good food and healthy exercise for their bodies to grow strong. But research shows us that their brains need more than this to grow strong. Your child needs loving relationships for healthy brain development. Being with people who love them helps feed their brain. There are five simple activities that parents do every day that 10 help the brains of children to grow well. These have been described using five key words, one for each activity, so that we can notice this happening, and make sure our children get the brain food they need: Respond Cuddle Relax Play Talk

These are the ‘Five to Thrive’ of healthy brain development and these messages run through all Flying Start Children’s Centre activities and services.

[email protected] Parenting

Our parenting programme is designed to equip you with tips and tools to increase your confidence for your parenting journey. Please feel free to speak to one of our family workers for further information and if you are interested in attending.

Nurturing Programme Understanding children and looking after yourself. Helping you to understand why children behave as they do so you can have a calmer, happier family life. This tried and tested 10 week programme will help you think about what you do as a parent. It focuses on recognising the feelings behind behaviour (ours and theirs); exploring different approaches 11 to discipline; finding ways to develop co-operation and self-discipline in children and the importance of looking after ourselves. Please call your local children’s centre to book. This course is open to all parents.

Bite Sized Parenting Workshops Fun and interactive workshops delivered by highly trained staff. Will cover various topics, including:  Use of urgent care services and self-care  Toilet training  Starting Solids  Sleeping  Behaviour management  Baby & child safety Please call your local children’s centre to book

www.flyingstartluton.com Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities A fully inclusive parenting course that encourages close and warm 12 relationships between you and your children. It is also a great opportunity to share your experiences, opinions and feelings with others. This course will cover managing anger, relaxation, ethnic and cultural roots, raising self-esteem and confidence, causes of behaviour, sensitive discipline strategies and family values. For more details and to book your place please ring Flying Start Central on 01582 393440.

Healthy Families: Right from the start with henry HENRY is a lifestyle programme for families with children under 5 who need support to help them adopt healthy family lifestyle habits. It is a free 8 week fun and interactive family programme to support you in giving your child the best possible start in life. The programme will help you overcome anxieties you may be feeling around feeding your child or to help make healthier choices. Please contact the Henry Coordinator on 01582 548336.

[email protected] Extra Support - Mellow Parenting Being a parent is both rewarding and challenging, no parent is perfect! The good news is that you can make small changes to strengthen your relationship with your child making the task of parenting easier and more enjoyable. This course helps you look at your health and well-being and the impact your actions have on your child. This course has joining criteria. Please contact the Flying Start office for further details and booking information on 01582 548 336.

Incredible Years® Parenting young children can be a difficult time for both parents and children. Learn about emotional regulation and help your child learn and grow emotionally and socially. Nurturing, coaching, and playing with your child can be a key to success in future school/life readiness skills. This course is particularly useful if you have identified some challenging behaviours from your child and would like some support to develop other problem solving skills to have a calmer family life. 13 This course has joining criteria. Please contact the Flying Start office for further details on 01582 548 336.

© 2015 The Incredible Years®, Inc. All rights reserved. “THE INCREDIBLE YEARS®” and all related trademarks are owned by The Incredible Years®, Inc. USA. Limited use of trademarks and copyrighted material is by license from The Incredible Years®, Inc. All program materials must be ordered through http://www.incredibleyears.com

www.flyingstartluton.com Advice and Information

Children’s centre staff are there to provide help and advice on a range of issues affecting you and your family. Please ask to speak to a staff member at a centre, or call/email your local centre listed on the back of this booklet.

Safe at Home - A Luton scheme promoting safety in the home. It offers advice and a free assessment to all Luton households with a child under 5 years old. Families in receipt of qualifying benefits may also be able to receive safety equipment to help reduce the risk of accidents in your home. To enquire or request a FREE home safety check please go to our website where you can apply online, or speak to a staff member at your local children’s centre. Email: safeathomecip.org.uk

Healthy Start Vitamins and Vouchers - If you are pregnant or have a child 14 under 5 and are eligible for certain benefits then you may be eligible for a Healthy Start voucher. This entitles you to free milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins for you and your child. Healthy Start vitamins are available to buy from your children’s centre at a reduced cost. Time for 2’s - Your two year old could get 15 hours a week free childcare from the term after they turn two if you receive certain benefits or are living on a low income. Our dedicated two year old support workers can help you find out about nurseries and pre-schools and can support you with applications for two year funding. Adult Learning - Opportunities for you, whether you are looking to go back to work or build skills for the future. Ask us for information about how to access courses and training through a Flying Start Children’s Centre. Luton Family Information Service (FIS) Luton FIS provides information, advice and guidance on a variety of services, helplines and websites that are useful to parents, carers, children and young people under the age of 20. This information covers: childcare, nursery places, holiday activities, help with the cost of childcare, working with children and family support. Tel: 01582 548888 Email: [email protected] Web: www.luton.gov.uk/fis

[email protected] Get involved!

Parental feedback We are always keen to hear from you. We welcome your comments, experiences, suggestions and ideas of how we can ensure our services meet your needs.

Here are some of the ways to get in touch:  By Email: each centre has its own email address which can be found on the back of this booklet. Alternatively for general information about Flying Start please email [email protected]

 In person: Please come along to one of our sessions. Staff will be happy to listen to your query and help you as much as we can. Alternatively each site has a feedback box and there are forms available to fill in to leave your message. 15  Via Facebook: Find us via the Flying Start Facebook page which has links to each area. Pages are updated regularly to help keep you up to date with what’s on.

Volunteering opportunities If you are interested in volunteering at your local children’s centre please contact the Flying Start Volunteer Officer 01582on 548356 We have a range of volunteer opportunities, whether you wish to gain experience to support you back into work, or would like to offer support at your local centre, we are keen to hear from you.

Events/Trips activities From time to time each Flying Start neighbourhood will run special events, trips and activities for families living in their areas. These will be advertised locally closer to the time. Please keep an eye out at your local children’s centre and on our Facebook pages.

www.flyingstartluton.com Contact the Flying Start Team

Flying Start Central  01582 393 440  [email protected] Beech Hill Primary School, Road, Luton LU4 8BW

Flying Start North  01582 546 925  [email protected] , Pavilion, Icknield Way, Luton, LU3 2JR

Flying Start South  01582 482 957  [email protected] Park Town, Bailey Street, Luton LU1 3DU

Flying Start West  01582 616 604  [email protected] Primary School, Dallow Road, Luton, LU1 1LZ

Flying Start Main Office  01582 548 356  [email protected] 7 Gordon Street, Luton LU1 2QP

FLYING START FLYING START NORTH DELIVERY SITES 1 Cheynes Infant School 2 Grasmere Nursery School 3 Redgrave Children and Young People’s Centre 4 Gill Blowers Nursery School 2 5 Limbury Community Centre 1 6 St Augustine's Church 3 M1 A6 FLYING START CENTRAL Northwell 21 Blenheim Crescent Baptist Church 4 22 Denbigh Primary School 5 & 6 Icknield 23 Stopsley Baptist Church 5 24 Christchurch 0 25 Beech Hill Primary School 24 & 26 5 A 26 Community Centre 15 Limbury 27 British Red Cross Stopsley 28 High Town Methodist Church

Leagrave Barnfield 23 16 13 17 Saints A5228 22 10 21 A505 14 12 505 High Town A A 25 & 27 5 A5065 0 Dallow 5 19 28 18 Wigmore FLYING START WEST 11 13 Pastures Way Nursery School 20 Crawley 14 Chaul End Community Centre 15 Gill Bowers Nursery School 9 16 Primary School 17 Beechwood Primary School 7 18 Foxdell Infant School 19 Community Centre 8 20 Dallow Primary School

South N Farley FLYING START SOUTH W E 81 10 7 Whipperley Academy A S 8 Park Town Community 9 Units 3G-4G, The Mall 10 7&9 Yeovil Road Date: 18 : 05 : 2018 11 Harthill Nursery School Scale = 1:48000 @ A4 12 St Francis Church

© Crown Copyright and database rights [2018] Ordnance Survey [100023935].

JN: 130.4