New children's centre opens it doors in Matlock

29 January 2008

Youngsters were all smiles at the launch of the latest children’s centre to take support services into the community.

A refurbished building on the site of Castle View Primary School, School Road, is the home of the new Matlock Children’s Centre.

It provides services aimed at under fives and their parents including early education, childcare, family support, child and family health advice, and access to Job Centre Plus and Citizens Advice Bureau help.

Councillor Joyce Sanders, Chair of Derbyshire County Council, and Councillor Bob Janes, the county council’s cabinet member for cultural and community services, officially opened the new facility.

Councillor Bob Janes said: “We are committed to help families learn, succeed and live happily and children’s centres are part of this work.

“It was great to see so many families attend the open day at Matlock. It is a fantastic new centre offering one-stop access to a network of childcare, family support, advice and learning opportunities, which can be vital in a child’s development.

Derbyshire County Council has now opened 25 of its new 42 children centres. The remainder will be up and running by 1 April.

The Government wants all under fives and their families to have access to children’s centre services by 2010.