Sure Start Alumwell Pleck children's centre provides quality play and learning groups that promote child development, early learning, stimulating and enjoyable activities, improve language skills and ensure early identification and support of children with special needs.

In our recent Ofted inspection in December 2010, we were rated as offering Outstanding learning and development opportunities within our groups and services, so if you live in Alumwell and Pleck and are pregnant or have an under 5 year old, please do come down to one our fun sessions, there are many important benefits for you ans your children as shown below.

 Benefits of coming to a group for parents
l Reduces isolation
l Access to help and advice
l Emotional support
l Specialist health workers
l Information 
l Ideas for play and bonding with your child

Benefits of coming to group for children

l  Promotes self awareness
l Realisation of individuality
l Promotes self esteem
l Discovering boundaries and limits
l Discovering likes and dislikes and making choices
l Enhances and widens stimulation and experience 
   to improve and cement brain development    
l Learn to socialise

See below for details of the childcare and play and learning groups we provide, also see ‘What’s On?’ section for a weekly planner of activities.

First Time fun group

 Every Tuesday in term time, 1.30pm to 3.00pm, £1 per session, at the Sure Start Centre, Brineton Street Pleck

A new group for first time parents and their babies up to 1 year old. So many exciting fun learning opportunities for your baby, such as sensory play, soft play, painting, messy play and more. Find out about weaning, how your baby learns, share stories and experiences with other Moms. Healthy snacks and lots of support and advice on any issue from worker Justine, including breast feeding help and advice.

 "Really enjoyed doing things that you don't really do at home like painting, playing with jelly and corn flour dough. I loved Rhythm kids as it was something that I could do at home. Thanks Justine, I've learnt a lot from all your weaning tips, don't know what I would have done if I never came to the group. "

See more reviews and feeback for First Time Fun on our Feedback page or click here.

Tots to Toddlers Group

Every Wednesday in term time, 1.30pm to 3.00pm, £1 per session, at the Sure Start Centre, Brineton Street Pleck

This popular group is a social point for parents and has lots of stimulating toys and activities for babies and children, but there's also much more! The group supports families health, parenting and learning from birth through to toddler age, and focus's on promoting childrens social and emotional development through play and education. In the group, babies and toddlers learn to socialise and communicate in a safe and positive enviroment, and parents have access to emotional support, friendships, and advice about health and parenting issues.

"My Son always enjoys coming."

What do parents think of Tots to Toddlers group? Click here to look at our Feedback page for how parents evaluated this group in February 2011.

The Cradle Club

The Cradle Club runs every Thursday, - 10.00am to 11.30am,for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 2 and a half. Pleck library Wellington Street Pleck.

Books and stories are a great way to improve your child's learning, language and literacy and its great bonding time for parent and child. This weekly parent and toddler group at Pleck Library brings all this together and is a fun way to introduce your child to exciting stories and reading.

Share a Story

Every Monday, -  1.00pm to 3.00pm -£1 per family, Sure Start Centre, Brineton Street Pleck

Lots of activities and fun for children. A new story each week with crafts and activities themed to the story and singing and rhymes. Also a fun snack time where we encourage the children the children to get involved.

"It is a lovely little group, my kids really enjoy coming."

What do parents think of Share a Story group? Look at our Feedback page for how parents evaluated this group in March 2011.

Families Information Service

Need more information about parent and toddler groups, family activities or childcare in your area?
Walsall Families Information Service is a one stop shop for information about services for children. They provide free, impartial advice about childcare, nurseries, childminders, playgroups, parent and toddler groups and early years education, children’s centres and family support.

Also they provide advice and information for those who would like to pursue a career in the childcare profession.
The website at www.childreninwalsall.co.uk is full of information or you can contact Walsall Families Information Service by
Telephone - 01922 653383
E-mail - childcare@walsall.gov.uk