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Coronavirus, early years and childcare

Early education and childcare during coronavirus

For child safety, early education and childcare providers follow the guidance issued by the Department for Education. Early education and childcare settings are now open to everyone. 

Children's centres remain open

All 12 Children’s Centres in Tower Hamlets will remain open with the easing of lockdown. Health and safety remains our top priority - for staff, families and the community. We have adapted our services to be ‘Covid-secure’ and we continue to offer:

- Health appointments

- Early learning for two-year-olds

- Face-to-face support for vulnerable, and newly vulnerable, parents 

- Collection of vitamins

Some small group sessions will be operating, please check our timetable for details.

We follow the latest government guidelines, which means our timetables and services are subject to change.

Please phone your local children's centre before you visit to make an appointment and find out the latest information.

Training sessions 

We continue to provide blended learning for our first aid and safeguarding courses and adult education courses.

Thank you

We would like to express our gratitude to all early education and childcare settings and childminders who have continued throughout COVID to offer Tower Hamlets children a wonderful, safe, caring and stimulating time. Thank you!


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Children's Centres

On this page you will find information on:

  1. Vision

  2. Core purpose

  3. List of Children's Centres

Children's Centres

We have 12 children’s and family centres in Tower Hamlets.  These are free and open for all parents and carers who live in the borough to access a range of services:

  • play
  • family support
  • health
  • training
  • employment.

You can access universal services for pre-birth to five years of age and more specific services for five to 11 years of age by registering with your nearest children and family centre.

Vision

Our vision is for every child in Tower Hamlets to have the best possible start in life - through reducing inequalities and improving quality of life.

Our service supports children and their families to be safe and happy - improving lifelong health and wellbeing.

Core purpose

The core purpose of Tower Hamlets children’s centre service is to improve outcomes for all young children and their families, as well as reduce inequalities between the most disadvantaged children and others through early intervention and holistic support.

This is guided by the Sure Start children’s centres statutory guidance and will be achieved through the following targets:

  • Child development and school readiness, which will enable children to become confident and curious learners by providing early learning opportunities:

    • Through universal and targeted stay and play sessions.
    • Providing support to access free early learning childcare entitlements.
    • Working in partnership with schools and other providers.

  • Raising aspirations and improving parenting skills, which will support parents to give their child the best possible start to life by providing:

    • Family support.
    • Evidence-based parenting programmes.
    • Specialist programmes and targeted services for parents.
    • Reducing inequalities through supporting parents to improve economic wellbeing.

  • Reducing health inequalities by improving health and life chances and ensuring that children are safeguarded by supporting parents to access:

    • A range of health services.
    • Family support.
    • Advice and support on public health outcomes.
    • Partnership with the community and stakeholders.

    • Supporting parents into training and employment by providing:

      • Classes for learning and improving English
      • Access to basic skills qualifications
      • Access to programmes run by Jobcentre Plus
      • Support from WorkPath

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    List of Children's Centres

    For more information about activities and other services available at each centre, please refer to the centre of your choice using the following information:

    Around Poplar1 Around Poplar CC

    115 Three Colt Street,

    London,

    E14 8AP

    Telephone: 020 7364 0540 

    Summer Term Activity timetable

     

    Chrisp Street2 Chrisp street CC

    23 – 27 Market Way, 

    London,

    E14 6AH

    Telephone: 020 7364 2856

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Collingwood3 Collingwood CC

    St Bartholomew Gardens, 

    Buckhurst Street,

    London,

    E1 5QT

    Telephone: 020 7364 0539  

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Isle of Dogs4 Isle of Dogs CC

    Millwall Park,

    Stebondale Street,

    London,

    E14 3BX

    Telephone: 020 7364 1179

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    John Smith5 John Smith CC

    90 Stepney Way, 

    London,

    E1 2EN

    Telephone: 020 7364 0537 

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Marner6 Marner CC

    Marner Centre, 

    Devas Street,

    London,

    E3 3LL

    Telephone: 020 7364 3534  

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Meath Gardens7 Meath Gardens CC

    1 Smart Street,

    London,

    E2 0SN

    Telephone: 020 7364 0349   

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Mile End8 Mile End CC

    9 Bede Square, Joseph Street, 

    Off Bow Common Lane,

    London,

    E3 4GY

    Telephone: 020 7364 7557 

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Mowlem9 Mowlem CC

    Wadeson Street,

    London,

    E2 9DL

    Telephone: 020 7364 7935

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Ocean10 Ocean CC

    Whitehorse Road, 

    London,

    E1 0ND

    Telephone: 020 7364 6605 

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Overland11 Overland

    60 Parnell Road,

    Bow,

    London,

    E3 2RU

    Telephone: 020 7364 1925 

    Summer Term Activity timetable

    Wapping12 Wapping Bigland street

    15 Richard Street,

    London,

    E1 2JP

    Telephone: 020 7364 6004 

    Summer Term Activity timetable

     

    If you need general advice and help to find your nearest children’s centre, please call us on 020 7364 1553.

     

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