Pregnancy 0 to 40 weeks
- Children's Centre groups
- Health advice
- Family support
- Safety advice
- Returning to work or money advice
Children's Centre groups
Please check the weekly timetable for times and venues or all these groups, or contact the Children's Centre for details.
Great news
A days course in the middle stages of pregnancy including adjusting to parenthood, talk to your bump, healthy lifestyles and an introduction to breastfeeding, followed by an optional breastfeeding workshop.
Great expectations
An antenatal parenting programme for mums to be and their partner or a supporter, it consists of three two hour sessions covering a range of subjects by different professionals. Two midwifery weeks and one with the health visitor.
Great arrivals
A one off celebration for new parents to come along and show off your new precious little bundle(s),meet other new parents and share experiences. An ideal time for you to find out all the groups and services available at the Children's Centre.
Latch on
A friendly and informal drop in support group for all pregnant and breast feeding mums, partners are also welcome. Meet other breastfeeding mums and make new friends, as well as getting support from peers and advice from health professionals. Breastfeeding bras are available to buy and there is also a bra fitting service.
Plymouth multilingual families
Come and meet parents and children being brought up with more than one language at our coffee mornings and play sessions. A Saturday session when parents can get together and share ideas, often speakers are invited to talk about the importance of maintaining the languages and how speaking more than one language is a boost to language development in young children and not a hindrance! The group is for families across Plymouth and with any age of children. For more information please contact Ricky, group leader, on 01752 403501.
Bookstart packs
Bookstart is a national programme that encourages parents and carers to enjoy books with their children from as early age as possible.
Packs are given free to stimulate and create a love of reading and to show that books are fun.
Bookstart packs for babies are suitable for babies aged 0 to 12 months and are given to your baby by your health visitor at your baby's development check
Health advice
Midwife
Antenatal appointments with the midwife are held in the centre, where she will monitor and support the health of you and your unborn baby. You will see the midwife regularly, more frequently towards the end of the pregnancy and she will visit you at home after the baby is born.
Health visitor
The health visitor is available for consultation and support if you would like some advice or have any concerns about your baby. Meet her at one of the weighing in clinics or please call the clinic on 01752 314489 for an appointment.
Family support
1:1 Support for young first time mums - Malezi
This service is available for all first time mothers under 25 years who need some additional support, the Malezi worker will visit you in your home supporting you throughout the pregnancy and continue with the baby.
Children's Centre Outreach
The Children's Centre Outreach workers can offer 1-1 advice and support for families in your own home to meet your own needs. They can offer support to parents for a variety of different issues such as guidance and boundaries, routines, fussy eaters and positive parenting.
Support can also be offered for a wider range of things such as debt and money problems, housing issues, depression and relationship issues.
Safety advice
Baby first aid
A two hour first aid awareness course for parents and carers. A qualified first aid instructor will cover various aspects of baby first aid, including baby/child resuscitation, choking, unconsciousness, breathing difficulties and more. You will receive a certificate on completion of course.
Safety gates
We sell safety gates at a special discount price to families in the Plymstock area (maximum two per person). Both fixed gates (for screwing to the wall) and tension (for tightening up to fit a doorway) are available.
Safe at home
We may be able to offer free home safety packs to eligible families, to qualify they must be in receipt of benefits and meet the Sure Start vulnerabilities criteria. These home safety packs include:
- Two safety gates
- One fireguard
- Window restrictors
- Non slip bath or shower mat
- Locks for kitchen cupboards
- Corner cushions
- Cord winders
A full assessment is carried out at home and advice given as well.
Returning to work or money advice
Information on childcare and childminding services
If you are considering going back to work and need childcare, we have access to information on the nurseries and childminders in the area. We can also advise you on help with your childcare costs.
Money advice including help with maternity benefits and grants
Regular advice sessions for help with benefits or debt problems, budgeting and reducing bills provided by the Family Information Service and Job Centre Plus.
Parent training and development
- Basic skills courses may be available
- Volunteering with the Children's Centre, building confidence as well as offering training opportunities within in childcare and early years work
- Returning to work encouragement and support
For more information regarding any of the services shown on this page please contact us using the information shown in the right hand column.
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