Web of child centres expands

Oldham’s Children’s Centres are expanding into Saddleworth, Failsworth, Royton and Crompton.

The borough already has 14 centres, many attached to schools, some newly built and some in converted buildings.

They are part of a flagship Government initiative to put education, health, social services, jobs advice and parenting services under one roof.

Oldham has spent millions of pounds in Government grants on the centres, and the latest proposals for the outlying wards will complete the work.

The centres will be funded by almost £1 million in grants, and will provide hubs and satellite services for six wards.

The plans will go to councillors for approval on Monday.

If passed they will create a children’s centre hub at the Greenfield Youth Centre building next to Churchill Playing Fields, and a satellite centre at Holy Trinity CE School, Dobcross, to serve Saddleworth North and South wards.

Saddleworth West and Lees will get a hub at St Anne’s CE School at Lydgate, but the site for a satellite centre has still to be decided. They will be completed by 2010.

The Higher Failsworth Primary School, which has spare capacity, will link to the Children’s Centre at Propps Hall, with a new centre in refurbished classrooms.

Firbank Primary School in Royton will also get a Children’s Centre service, so will St Mary’s CE Primary School in High Crompton, either with small extensions or portable buildings in the grounds.