Children and Family Centres

On this page you will find information on:

1. What are our aims?

2. What are our priorities?

3. Can I use a Children and Family Centre?
4. Core purpose
5. List of Children and Family Centres

Children and Family Centres

We have 12 children’s and family centres in Tower Hamlets.  These are free and open for all parents and carers with childen from birth-19 years of age (up to 25 those with Special Educational Needs and Disability)  who live in the borough to access a range of services:

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

Children and Family Centres aim to improve outcomes for all children, young people and their families.  They enable access to a range of universal and targeted services, support with any concerns and play a major part in early identification and early intervention.

What are our aims?

• To support parents in their role as the first educator
• To empower families to access a wide range of care, play and support services
• To be a centre for joined-up services with partners

What are our priorities?

• Health and wellbeing
• Childcare and employment
• Parenting confidence and capacity
• Child development and school readiness

Can I use my Children and Family Centre?

That depends on where you live and your postcode. Each Children and Family Centre has a catchment area. We prioritise families using the following order:

• Children living within the reach of the locality
• Children living within the borough of Tower Hamlets.

Core purpose

The core purpose of Tower Hamlets Children and Family Service is to improve outcomes for all  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 Employment Programmes  

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List of Children and Family 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 Poplar   115 Three Colt Street, London, E14 8AP  Telephone: 020 7364 0540  Autumn Activity timetable

Chrisp Street 45 Kerbey Street  London, E14 6AW Telephone: 020 7364 2856 Autumn Activity timetable

Collingwood St Bartholomew Gardens,  Buckhurst Street, London, E1 5QT Telephone: 020 7364 0539   Autumn Activity timetable

Isle of Dogs Millwall Park, Stebondale Street, London, E14 3BX Telephone: 020 7364 1179 Autumn Activity timetable

John Smith 90 Stepney Way,  London, E1 2EN Telephone: 020 7364 0537  Autumn Activity timetable

Marner Marner Centre,  Devas Street, London, E3 3LL Telephone: 020 7364 3534   Autumn Activity timetable

Meath Gardens 1 Smart Street, London, E2 0SN Telephone: 020 7364 0349    Autumn Activity timetable

Mile End 9 Bede Square, Joseph Street,  Off Bow Common Lane, London, E3 4GY Telephone: 020 7364 7557  Autumn Activity timetable

Mowlem Wadeson Street, London, E2 9DL Telephone: 020 7364 7935 Autumn Activity timetable

Ocean Whitehorse Road,  London, E1 0ND Telephone: 020 7364 6605  Autumn Activity timetable

Overland 60 Parnell Road, Bow, London, E3 2RU Telephone: 020 7364 1925  Autumn Activity timetable

Wapping 15 Richard Street, London, E1 2JP Telephone: 020 7364 6004  Autumn 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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