Work has begun on Somerset County Council’s new Children's Centre for Huish Episcopi and the surrounding area, which will provide local support and advice for parents and carers of children under five.

The centre, due to open in spring 2008, will create a single point of access to services for families. They will be able to get information on matters such as child development, parenting, and advice on how to stay safe and healthy. The new Children's Centre will also offer support to parents who are considering training and employment, as well as high-quality childcare and pre-school education from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Somerset County Council has contributed over £600,000 to create the new centre and worked closely with a steering group made up of local representatives to ensure that the facility will meet local needs and aspirations. The Centre represents the latest step towards the Somerset County Council’s aim of establishing 33 new Children’s Centres in Somerset by March 2008.


Julia Bayley, Chair of the Huish Episcopi steering group, said: "It is great to see the building work begin. The steering group has been working with Somerset County Council on the proposal for over a year, and the design for the Children’s Centre has been constructed using feedback from local residents to ensure the facility meets the requirements of parents and carers with young children."

Councillor Pauline Clarke, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, added: "Somerset County Council is pleased that building work is under way on this new Children’s Centre. It will support parents and families and help Somerset County Council ensure that children in Somerset are healthy and safe in their early years."

Councillor Derek Yeomans, Somerset County Council’s local member for Langport, said: "This Children’s Centre will be an excellent addition to the local communities in and around Huish Episcopi. The steering group and officers from Somerset County Council have worked hard to reach this important milestone. I am amazed at how much has been done in such a short time, which shows the enormous dedication that has been applied to the task. The new facilities will be a key point of access to services for our local parents and children."

(JM)