Additional information

Family Information Service

The family information service provide advice on childcare, returning to work, tax credits, maternity benefits and can complete better off calculations. They will be visiting the Children’s Centre on Tuesday 18th October between 1.00 and 2.30 (Woodford) and Wednesday 16th November between 9.30 and 11.00 (St Maurice). You need to call the children’s centre on 283826 to book an appointment if you would like to see them on one of these dates. They will also be attending chatterbox on Monday 10th October.

Turn To Us - Maximising income, grants and benefits trawl sessions.

Managing family finances can be a struggle, come along and see a trained Homestart volunteer who can find out if you are accessing all the benefits you are entitled to and search for any grants which may be available to help you and your family.

Dates: Friday 30th September and Friday 21st October, 1 hour appointment slots from 10 - 1pm at Plum Tree Children’s Centre, Yealmpstone Farm Primary School (in the consulting room). Please ring the Children’s Centre and book an appointment.

Money Management session run by the CAB

Tuesday 20th September 10.30 - 12.30pm at Yealmpstone Farm. The content of the session will include budgeting, income maximisation, consumer choices and energy savings.

Back to work support

Do you want help to write your CV or need advice on how to complete an application form? If so someone from the children’s centre can help. Give us a ring on 283826 and ask to speak to either Sophie or Hannah. We will arrange a time to meet with you and look at your CV or application form.

If you are thinking about returning to work but you are not sure where to start then, we can link you with Job Centre Plus and Working Links, who will be able to provide you with the help and support you need. Either speak to a member of staff in a group or call the Children’s Centre on 283826.

Childcare information

If you are looking for childcare and want to know about settings in Plympton and also some top tips on what to look for then please speak to a member of staff.

Budgeting and Money Management

Do you find money is tight and by the end of the week you don’t have enough left? The Citizens Advice Bureau will be running a one of work shop on how to make the most of your money. For the date and time call the children’s centre on 283826.

Parents forum

Meeting three times per year with a crèche so that you can speak to staff about what you like about the centre, what you don’t like, what could make it better and also about fundraising for the centre. The first meeting will be on Thursday 22nd September, 10.00 - 11.30 am in the children’s centre at Woodford. If you would like to book your child into the crèche you need to call us on 283826 as spaces are limited. Babies can go into the meeting with you.

Parent volunteers and helpers

Would you like to help in our groups, or set up a group of your own? We will support you to do this by offering training opportunities and support. It is also a great way to meet other people. For more information speak to one of the centre staff or call 283826.

Policy update - medicines in group

Did you know?

• Every day, 12 children are admitted to hospital because it’s thought they have swallowed something poisonous.
• Medicines are the most common cause of accidental poisoning in children. Everyday painkillers are a frequent culprit.
• The kitchen and bathroom are the likeliest places for children to be accidentally poisoned by cleaning products.
• Concentrated detergent capsules usually come in a box so don’t have the protection of child resistant caps and they don’t contain bittering agents.
• While child - resistant tops are helpful as they slow young children down, they are not completely childproof. Some three and four year - olds can open them within seconds

Please do not bring any medication to Children’s Centre groups.

If you need to bring medication to a Children’s Centre group because you will need to take it while at the group, please make sure it is kept in a childproof container, and on you at all times. Do not leave it in a bag that you leave unattended.

This is for the safety of the children.