Services in the South Acton Children’s Centre Groups for new mothers and mother’s to be 

Antenatal Breastfeeding workshop

Venue: South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

Once a month - a 2 hour workshop to prepare women for breastfeeding.  This covers anatomy and physiology, benefits of breastfeeding, top tips for both partners. 

Antenatal Clinic

Venue: Acton Health Centre, Church Road

An appointment based clinic from the midwife comprising of antenatal check, referral and liaison with Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, checking fetal position, growth and development.  The clinic gives parents the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any problems of pregnancy. 

Antenatal Parent Information classes

Venue: Acton Health Centre, Church Road

Covers signs of labour, pain relief, birth plans, complications of labour, early days of parenting, birthing positions, videos and handouts on birth. 

Antenatal Yogacise

Venue: South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

From 14 weeks gestation until full term.  A 5 week course of gentle exercises and birth preparation includes: - optimal fetal positioning; pelvic floor exercises, breathing, active birth positions in first and second stages of labour. 

Baby Massage

Venue: South Acton Children’s Centre Training Room

Baby massage is renowned for promoting early bonding between parent and baby, supporting mum’s struggling with coliky babies or sleep problems.  It is also an opportunity to meet other new mums and share experiences.  The course is usually over a 5-6 week period and it is helpful to attend all sessions. 

Baby Moves

Venue: South Acton Children’s Centre Training Room

This is a drop in group offering post-natal yoga exercises for mums and gentle exercises to help digestion, circulation, balance and coordination in babies.  The session ends with a relaxation period. 

Bumps and Babies

Venue: Oak Tree Community Centre, Castle Close

This group is aimed at parents to be, parents, carers and children under 18 months.  It is a welcoming friendly playgroup with qualified workers on hand to offer advice and support when necessary.   

Postnatal & Breastfeeding Support Group

Acton Health Centre, Church Road

This group is for mums who have just given birth.   There are professionals on hand to offer support and advice on a variety of issues faced after having a baby. 

 Groups and services for special needs children

 I CAN

Venue: South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

The I CAN team work for five morning sessions each week and can take up to 10 children. For circle time, story time and speech therapy the children use a specially equipped room but spend the rest of their time in the over three’s nursery. 

 Under 3's Nursery 

Venue: South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

Children attend 2 or 3 days a week (9am – 3pm) depending on their needs and those of their families.  There are a maximum of 54 places a day, with up to 75 families using the under 3’s rooms each week. We have a Special Care Unit for children with severe disabilities and a room for children with autism. Each room has a team of qualified nursery staff who are each keyworkers to a small group of children.            

Groups and services for all families 

Counselling Service

South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

The Family and Community Team qualified counsellor can support parents with emotional difficulties such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety etc.  Referral service by Family and Community Team Acton staff and health professionals 

Crawlers and Walkers

South Acton Children's Cente, Castle Close

This is a group for 0 -2 year olds to share time and play with indoor and outdoor facilities and for parents to get to know each other in the area. 

Ethnic Minority Achievement Service

South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

16 Children are chosen I collaboration with the whole staff to receive particular attention from the two EMA staff. The children are those most in need of help with English language combine with other social needs. Because the EMA staff do not have class responsibility, they have time to take the children out on various visits and provide real life experiences. Close links are established with the parents through activities such as home story visits to the Science Museum. 

Family Book Club/Baby Rhyme Time 

Acton Library, Acton High Street

A fun session for parents, carers and children alike: children scribble and colour; look at books and hear stories. Sessions end with singing simple nursery rhymes and songs. All these activities develop pre-reading and writing skills, as well as a love of books. 

Home/school Library

South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

The Ethnic Minority Achievement staff is responsible for the management of the home/school library. The borrowing system is explained to the parents and book bags issued.  They are encouraged to borrow at least 1 book a week. Parent’s attention is drawn to the core story books and information books liked to projects currently being explored in the nursery. There is a wide selection of bilingual books in many languages.    

Movers and Groovers

South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

This group is aimed at parents, carers with children from 18 months to 4 years. Workers facilitate a range of fun activities to music - focusing on the children’s physical development and coordination. 

Parenting Support Group

South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

Following the Family Links, this group supports parents with the challenging task of being a parent. 

South Acton Toy Library

South Acton Children’s Centre, Castle Close

We provide a range of multicultural and educational toys for families to borrow.  Workers are on hand to offer advice if necessary regarding age appropriate toys to encourage your child/ren’s development. 

Family Learning (Stay and Play)

Oak Tree Community Centre, Osborne Road

This group is aimed at parents, carers and children from 18 months – 4 yearsThis is a group facilitated by workers, with planned activities for parents, carers and children to enjoy together.