Paradise Park Children’s Centre, just west of Holloway Road, pampered and prepped local families at a ‘Health Day’ on Wednesday 18 January.
Parents and carers took advantage of free massages and manicures, courtesy of students from City and Islington College, whilst their children played happily in the crèche. They were also able to get professional advice on a range of subjects such as breastfeeding, healthy eating, stopping smoking and real nappies.
Local mum, Petra Giles, came along with her twins Molly and George, aged 6 months. Petra said, “I think the centre is a fantastic idea. This morning I’ve enjoyed a relaxing manicure, and I’ve also been able to borrow safety equipment that will be invaluable at home.
“I am so pleased that Paradise Park is here – it offers so many different services and will be a great resource. I’ll be able to pop in to see a health visitor, use the nursery or just spend some time out of the house.”
Local parent and Chair of the Sure Start Hillmarton Board, Luisa Chagas, added, “I am so proud of the Centre and what we have achieved so far. Paradise Park offers the full range of Sure Start services: family support, ante-natal and baby clinics, advice and training for families with young children, as well as childcare and early education in its recently opened 48-place nursery for under-5s in the local area.”
The £1.1 million building is a partnership between Sure Start Hillmarton, the Islington Play Association and Islington Greenspace. The scheme was funded by Sure Start, the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative, the London Development Agency, Islington Council and charitable donations.
Councillor James Kempton, executive member for children and young people, said, “Paradise Park is the first new build Children’s Centre in Islington and one of 16 planned for the borough. The Health Day was a perfect opportunity for parents and carers to get an introduction to the centre and the services it has to offer them. I’m pleased that Paradise Park has made such a successful start and I know it is rapidly becoming a valued resource for local parents, carers and children.”
For information about your nearest Children’s Centre call the Children’s Information Service on 020 7527 5959.
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Notes for editors
1. Children’s Centres are designed to provide childcare and early education for local families. Islington Council wants every family in the borough to be able to access services that meet their needs. By March 2006 at least 10 Children’s Centres will be fully operational and by March 2008 all 16 will be open. The network of Children’s Centres is evenly spread across the borough, so everyone in Islington will have a centre near them.
In December Paradise Park Children’s Centre won a prestigious national award for ‘Building for Sure Start’ at the annual Sure Start Partners in Excellence awards. The building boasts green walls with plants growing on three sides of the building, supported by recycled rainwater. The green walls, as well as ‘living’ brown roofs, will increase the wildlife inhabiting the park. The building incorporates a community café linking the centre with the park and the wider community.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008