A new children’s centre in Braintree, Essex has been described as a trailblazer which will lead the way for others like it right across the county.
Carousel Children’s Centre, which is managed by 4Children, was officially opened by Angela Smith, MP for Sheffield Hillsborough. She described the new centre, which is housed inside the former Chapel Hill Primary School, as one of the very best she had seen.
Also there on behalf of the people of Braintree was Tracey Chapman, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families. She said: “This centre is a trailblazer and is something different to what is going on in other counties. It is a positive demonstration of how changing the way we work can significantly improve outcomes for children, young people, families and the community as a whole.”
Carousel offers a vast range of community services including a nursery providing full day care with a specific hours service to suit parents’ needs and an after school club and holiday club for children. Other services include a Primary Care Trust facility, a community paediatrician and speech and language specialists.
Carousel is also one of the only Children’s Centres to offer a youth provision from the Essex County Council Youth Service. The youth centre is open every day offering a range of programmes including art, music, drama, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Sports Leadership Award as well as the opportunity for young people to socialise with their friends.
The total cost of the refurbishment of the building was £735,000, £413,000 of which was Sure Start grant funding for the Children’s Centre.
Tracy Lindsell, Carousel’s centre manager was delighted to formally open the centre to the public. She said: “I was really pleased to have such a good turn out for the opening. We have been running for a year now and I am very positive about the future for Carousel in delivering excellent services to the local community. I would like to encourage families and young people from the local community to come along and visit the centre.”
For more information about the services available at
Carousel Children’s Centre, please call Erica Major on 01376 556863 or email
erica.major@4Children.org.uk.
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