Sunderland Children’s Centres offer a wide range of activities and services suitable for all the family.
Below you will find a list of activities and services available at Sunderland Children's Centres for you and your family. For more information about times and locations of activities please download a copy of our Children's Centre magazine 'Chatter' or alternatively call the Families Information Service on 0191 520 5505 or email childrenscentres@sunderland.gov.uk.
Aquanatal
Using the resistance of the water and buoyancy floats, this is a fun aerobic and body conditioning workout for pregnant women and women who have recently given birth. For further information telephone 0191 561 4533. |
Baby Days
A drop-in session for parents and carers with children up to 2 years old.
Come and meet other parents and receive useful information and advice.
Scales are available if you would like to have your baby weighed. |
Baby Makaton
A six week course. Learn how to support and improve your child’s communication skills using signs and symbols. Sessions include singing, talking and rhymes. Suitable for children 6 months to 3 years. |
Baby Massage
A five-week course for mams, dads and carers with babies aged 6 weeks to 6 months. Learn how to massage your baby to help calm and relax them, bringing you closer together. Week five is a Whoops safety session. Find out how to prevent your child having an accident in and around the home. To book please contact your health visitor or local Children’s Centre. |
Bosom Buddies
Meet other breastfeeding mams informally and learn more about breastfeeding and its benefits. |
Busy Bodies
Open to children birth to 5 years. Your child can have fun through music and movement using song, dance and musical instruments. Busy Bodies also helps to keep your child healthy, active and on the move. |
Baby Busy Bodies
Similar to Busy Bodies but for children who aren’t yet walking.
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Child safety
Sunderland Children’s Centres can provide safety equipment and advice workshops to help prevent accidents in your home. For more information contact your health visitor or visit your nearest centre. |
Childcare
Registered childcare is available via your local Children’s Centre. The Sunderland Families Information Service can also help you decide what childcare option is best for you. Visit www.familiesinfoservice.com or telephone 0191 520 5505 for more information. |
Childminder Network
An opportunity for childminders to get together to share ideas and good practice, and support each other in the development of their services. |
Children’s doctor
Your very own children’s centre doctor can help you with anything from crawling and walking to behaviour and growing problems. You can see the doctor at a time and place that’s convenient for you. |
Common Childhood Illnesses
A free six week course for parents/carers who would like to know a little more about a wide variety of illnesses such as asthma, eczema, ear infections, diarrhoea and vomiting, Meningitis, rashes, bed-wetting and other common childhood illnesses. You will also have the opportunity to discuss topics of your choice.
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Community drop-in
Everybody welcome. Come and meet new people, take part in art and craft activities, short courses and lots more. |
Courses and training
You can access a variety of training and courses through your local Children’s
Centre. For more information call 0191 520 5505. |
Dads and Kids
Dads, grandads and male carers can spend time with the children, enjoy games, arts and crafts, outdoor fun and learn about various health topics. |
Early Years Mental Health Service
Early Years Mental Health Service offers support to you when life’s stresses or mental health issues are affecting your relationship with your child/ren. |
Employment
Mams, dads and carers can find training and employment opportunities with free use of computers, employment advice and Jobcentre Plus advisors.
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Family Fit and Fun
A fun and interactive session for the whole family. Get active and find out about healthy lifestyles together. |
Families Information Service
The Families Information Service provides information and advice to parents/carers on topics such as childcare, parenting support, benefits, school choices and local family events. Visit www.familiesinfoservice.com or telephone 0191 520 5505. |
Family Nurturing
This 10 week parenting course focuses on family life and can help you to manage some of the day-to-day difficulties that families can often face. |
Family Support
If only children came with a set of instructions… Family support teams can listen, befriend and offer practical support and advice to help you and your family through difficult times.
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Getting ready for nursery
Support for young children with speech and language difficulties, and behaviour or toileting needs. Contact your health visitor or nursery nurse for details. |
Health and well-being
Centres provide a range of health advice and support on topics such as weaning, healthy eating and oral hygiene. Ask your health visitor, nursery nurse or staff nurse for advice and support. |
How to wean your baby
A three week course to help you to move your baby on from milk to solids.
Find out what foods to try and how to prepare them. Receive a free pack of weaning resources in the final week. |
Hydrotherapy Pool
Hydrotherapy pool sessions provide the benefits of physiotherapy to disabled children and children with additional needs. For bookings and further information please telephone 0191 553 4127. |
La Leche/La Leche Regional Network
For friendly mother-to-mother breastfeeding support from pregnancy through to weaning. |
Messy Play
Ideal for children birth to 5. Messy Play sessions give your child the freedom to explore a wide range of materials and textures such as sand and bubbles, in a safe and friendly place. Please dress for mess... |
Motherhood in Mind
A 10 week course for mams with babies under one year who are feeling the baby blues, exhaustion or anxiety. An informal way to share experiences, find information and learn how to relax. Crèche facilities provided.
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New Me
A free ten week course for people 19+ and are unemployed. The course will focus on building your confidence, helping to build relationship skills, problem solving and much more. |
Personal Enhancement course
Take part in a series of small workshops around building confidence, and raising your self esteem whilst meeting other parents from your local area. |
Postnatal clinic
For friendly advice and support from your local midwifery team. |
Preparing for Baby
For parents-to-be and birthing partners. This four week course helps prepare
you and your partner for the birth of your baby and becoming a parent.
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Sensory Play
Children can use the sensory play facilities to learn through touch, sight, hearing and smell. Great for babies and children with additional needs to stimulate and enhance their development. |
Smoking Cessation
Practical support for pregnant women and their families who want to stop smoking. Contact your midwife or maternity health care assistant at your nearest Children’s Centre. Alternatively check the timetables to see when drop-ins take place in your area. |
Soft Play
Come along and have fun in our soft play area. Children can climb, balance, crawl and play to their heart’s content. Sessions run at Rainbow Family Centre and Highfield Children’s Centre.
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Stay and Play
Suitable for children birth to 5 years. Enjoy a variety of play activities and watch your child’s talking and imagination develop. |
Time for Rhyme/Rhyme Time
Great for children birth to 5. Sing a variety of songs and nursery rhymes together in a relaxed environment. A great way to help grow your child’s confidence and develop their speech. |
Toy Library
Why buy when you can borrow for FREE? Toy Library offers a fantastic range of toys and art and craft materials for children birth to14 years old, with a special selection for children with additional needs. Opening times |
Triple ‘P’
A short course for mams, dads and carers to learn various ways to manage children’s behaviour, set boundaries and build good relationships. |
Ups and Downs
A support group and play session for children with Down’s Syndrome. |
Volunteering opportunities
An exciting way to become more involved in your local centre, whilst gaining practical work-based experience. Call into your nearest centre for more information.
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What’s Cooking
A six week course which looks at fun and practical ways to cook, whilst exploring the ‘five-a-day’ message, snack times, me-size meals and packed lunches.
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Whoops safety session
Join week five of Baby Massage to find out about home safety and how to prevent your child from having an accidental injury. Please contact your health visitor or nearest children’s centre to book a place. |
Young Parents Group
Parents under 19 can meet other young mams and dads and relax while the children have fun in the crèche. |
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