Clare has found more opportunities than she expected at a Chorley Children’s CentreMore to offer for Children of all agesWhen the new Coppull Children’s Centre, one of the Chorley Children’s Centres, opened at the beginning of the year, Clare’s first thought was that it would be somewhere different to take the children and a good opportunity for her to spend some time out of the house with other parents. At first, both she and Jason took them to the Stay and Play sessions, which they all enjoyed, but as time has gone on, Clare has realised that Coppull Children’s Centre looks like it will have a great deal more to offer families like hers.

“Stay and Play is great, as there’s lots for the children to do like finger painting, baking and all those things you don’t particularly want to make a mess with at home!” laughs Clare. “What I really like is that it’s suitable for all my children, even Aaron can join in, and there’s nothing else around here that I know of which caters for children of different ages.”

Clare and Jason Langrish have three children, Amy, Emma and Aaron, who are four, three and one respectively.

a break for Clare, tooDuring the last few weeks, Clare has found more and more reasons to be pleased about this new village facility. “I drop in to the Tea and Toast Mornings, which gives me the chance to sit and have a chat with other mothers and that can be very useful. All the staff are really helpful and it’s a nice break for me – the children have something to do so I can relax a bit.”

soMething espeCially for dadsAlthough Jason is busy during the week, working for a University degree, he is more than happy to take the children along to the monthly Saturdads Group which has just been set up. “It’s really nice for the children to have some time alone with their dad, and if I’m honest it will be a break for me on Saturday mornings,” says Clare. “They seem to have quite a few other fathers who are interested, and I think it’s a very good idea; something specifically for men and their children.”

getting used to nursery sChoolWith Amy at nursery five mornings each week, Emma is also looking forward to starting in September and Coppull Children’s Centre has introduced Nursery Taster Sessions to get the younger children used to the idea.

“We’ve been a couple of times and she loves it,” says Clare. “It’s a good way of getting them used to nursery gradually and a chance for her to make friends. In fact, I have made some new friends, too, so it’s been a big benefit all round.”

opportunities for trainingWhen Emma starts at nursery, Clare is considering taking some of the courses being offered at Coppull Children’s Centre, with a view to retraining for a new career. “Before I had the children I was at University, but decided to take a break to be a full-time mum. It’s going to be very useful for parents to be able to take these courses; it gives people the chance to get out and do something for themselves, and because there is a crèche it makes it easy to do. I’ll certainly consider doing something when I’ve got the time.”

a big differenCe to the CoMMunityClare believes that even though Coppull Children’s Centre is so new, it is already making a big difference to the community. “It’s certainly been good for me and for the children, and I’m sure it will get even better. Local families needed something like this and it’s proving to be even better than expected.”

Coppull Children’s Centre Park Road Coppull PR7 5AH

Tel: 01257 791237 (option 3) Fax: 01257 795314

Duke Street Children’s CentreDuke StreetChorleyPR7 3DU

Tel: 01257 276253Fax: 01257 460399 Email: dukestreetcc@lancashire.gov.uk

Clayton Brook Children’s Centre Great Greens Lane Clayton Brook Preston PR5 8HL

The Children’s Centre Is In The Grounds Of Clayton Brook Primary School. Tel. 01772 310150 Fax. 01772 310151Email. Lesley.Davies@lancashire.gov.uk

Astley and Buckshaw Children’s Centre Chancery Road Astley Village Chorley PR7 1XP

Tel: 01257 248980

Highfield Children’s Centre Wright Street Chorley PR6 0SL

Tel.01257 262441 and 01257 262556 www.highfieldchildrenscentre.co.uk Tel: 01257 248980