This page contains historical information which may no longer be valid but is maintained for its value.

DECEMBER 2009

Children's Centres' Christmas Celebration - 23 December 2009

Sunderland Children's Centres have been helping the city's younger mums and dads to learn more about important family issues during a special young parents' Christmas event. Over 100 parents under the age of 19 and their families attended the event, which is held at the City Library annually - doubling previous attendance figures. For more information on the Christmas Celebration (pdf download)

Sunderland Toddler hears Sound of Progress - 22 December 2009

A Sunderland mum has praised the city's Children's Centres for the support her family has received after her son faced major surgery to restore his hearing and for the substantial progress he has made. Harvey regularly visits the Sensory Playroom at Sunderland Children's Centre, Highfield. For more information on Harvey's story (pdf download)

Boost for Breastfeeding Support in Sunderland - 22 December 2009

Support for Sunderland's nursing mothers received a boost this month as 12 new mums graduated from their breastfeeding peer counseling course. The mums, who have successfully completed the Sunderland Children's Centre Bosom Buddies training course, are now able to provide support and advice as qualified volunteers at the centres' breastfeeding support groups. For more information Bosom Buddies (pdf download)

Children's Centres Launch Online Baby Health Check - 1 December 2009

The NHS Baby LifeCheck website was launched at a special event during a Baby Days session at Sunderland Children's Centre Monument. The site aimed at parents of babies aged five to eight months and can provide checkpoints allowing parents to ensure their child's development continues at a healthy rate. For more information on Baby LifeCheck (pdf download)

OCTOBER 2009

Children's Centres' Inspirational Scheme Launched - 20 October 2009

Six Sunderland Community groups have become the first to benefit from up to £750 of extra funding to help improve the lives of young children, as Sunderland launched its unique Inspiration Fund (pdf download).

SEPTEMBER 2009

Sunderland Children's Centres are the Strongest Link - 24 September 2009

Hundreds of youngsters from across Sunderland have pitched in to prove that the city's Children's Centres are the strongest link. For more information on the result (pdf download)

Creating the Strongest Link for Sunderland Communities - 10 September 2009

Sunderland Children's Centres are looking to prove they are the 'strongest link' as they celebrate National Sure Start Children's Centre Week. For more information on the week (pdf download)

AUGUST 2009

Families Benefiting from Consultation Event - 19 August 2009

Over 780 Sunderland parents are helping shape the city's service for families after giving their views at a consultation event in Sunderland and Washington. The event provided families with information about Children's Services including Children's Centre and Extended Services. For more information on the City Wide Event (pdf download)

JULY 2009

Relocation Relocation for Children's Centre and Nursery - 13 July 2009

A Hetton nursery and Sunderland Children's Centre have officially opened their doors. Hetton Lyons Nursery School and Children's Centre were formally opened after the redevelopment of the Four Lane Ends site and the relocation of the Children's Centre from Front Street. For more information (pdf download)

JUNE 2009

Dental Visits Leave Children with Happy Smiles - 16 June 2009

Nervous appointments at the dentist are now a thing of the past for 80 Sunderland children following a series of visits designed to reduce fear associated in visiting the dentist. For more information (pdf download)

MAY 2009

Fruity Friday on the Menu for Children - 22 May 2009

Children in Sunderland have been learning about their five-a-day and how they can stay healthy as the city launches their fruity friday event. For more on fruity friday (pdf download)

JANUARY 2009

Le Leche Celebration

29 January 2009
Mums from across the city have been celebrating after graduating from their breastfeeding support course, which was organised by Sunderland Children’s Centres.The Le Leche course is designed to help mums who have previously breast fed their little ones to support other mums to breast feed as well. Groups are held across the city’s Children’s Centres, where mums can come along and be supported while learning to breast feed. For more information (pdf download)

Early Years Care Set to Rocket

29 January 2009
Sunderland is now home to 30 additional Early Years Professionals as a result of the City Council’s drive to encourage more people working in early years to increase their level of training. In order to ensure that every child living in the city receives the best start in life Sunderland City Council, together with support from the University of Sunderland, is working to build a more advanced childcare workforce which is well-trained, better supported and extremely motivated. For more information (pdf download)

Extended Openings for Sunderland's Children's Centres

23 January 2009

In order to meet a rise in public demand the City Council has chosen to extend the opening times of its Children's Centres. The extended opening hours are allowing many more working parents and pregnant women to benefit from the wide range of services offered by the city's 17 Children's Centres. For more information (pdf download)

DECEMBER 2008

Unique Study Support Scheme Reaches Out

17 December 2008

An innovative study support scheme has launched its own outreach programme to allow more Sunderland youngsters to benefit from improved key skills. For more information (pdf download)

Attendance Puts Connor on Cloud Nine

11 December 2008

One Sunderland boy was flying high as he celebrated his outstanding attendance record. As on of three special winners, Connor Dixon took to the skies to explore his home town of Sunderland. For more information (pdf download)

Sunderland Match Launches Free Book Campaign

1 December 2008

As part of the 2008 National Year of Reading, a group of youngsters and their families were given the opportunity to choose a book from a selection of authors, before enjoying the match between Sunderland AFC and Bolton Wonderers. The event was supported by National Literacy Trust and Penguin Books, the Playing for Success big book giveaway will benefit hundreds of Sunderland families. For more information (pdf download)

NOVEMBER 2008

Sunderland Families Have Their Say on Their Success

19 November 2008

Sunderland Children's Services have been praised by the public for the support and service that is offered to them by the council. Children's Services took to the streets of Sunderland to find out the views of the public towards the services provided. For more information on this story (pdf download)

Sunderland Club Improves Family Time for Dads and Kids

11th November 2008

Fathers and their children from Sunderland enjoyed a day of fun at 'Down at the Farm' in Houghton. The event was organised by Sunderland Children's Centres Dads and Kids Clubs. To find out what activities Dads and Kids did at the farm click here (pdf download)

OCTOBER 2008

Study Support Scheme Blows Full-Time Whistle on Junk Food

27th October 2008

The Playing for Success Team have been working with the City's Food in Schools Team to help encourage children to think about their diet. Alongside focusing on numeracy, literacy and ICT skills youngsters will also spend time looking at healthy snacks and how a poor dist can affect their health. More on this story (pdf download)

Sunderland Childminders Raise funds with Reading Event

6th October 2008

Sunderland Childminders held a sponsored toddle from Sunderland Children's Centre Washington (Concord) to Millennium Centre Library. More on the sponsored toddle (pdf download)