London’s Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare, Joanne McCartney, visited Albert Road Children’s Centre in Ilford yesterday to celebrate its success in supporting local children and families.
Albert Road Children’s Centre in Ilford has been granted silver award status by the Mayor’s Healthy Early Years London scheme, in recognition of the work they have done to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and families.
The Deputy Mayor met staff members, parents and children as she was shown examples of the centre’s work, which includes advice on how parents can access the Early Educational Entitlement for two-year-olds. Currently more than a third of eligible families in the capital are missing out on free early education.
Joanne went on to observe classes in baby massage and music – both designed to promote bonding and improve communication between parent and child. The Deputy Mayor also attended a wellbeing group where she met staff who had been providing targeted mental health support to families.
Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare, Joanne McCartney, said: “A child’s early years are key to their overall development and our youngest Londoners deserve the best possible start to life.
“Albert Road Children’s Centre is doing a fantastic job of ensuring children and their families look after their health both physically and mentally.
“I hope the centre’s success inspires early years providers in Redbridge and beyond to sign up to Healthy Early Years London.”
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Cllr Elaine Norman said: “Our Children's Centres aim to give little ones the best start in life and we are incredibly proud of the great work taking place in them to support families and children across the borough.
“We are delighted to have the spotlight on our Albert Road Children’s Centre as they richly deserve the recognition for the work they have done, and continue to do, to improve the wellbeing and development of families and children they are supporting.
“The centre’s achievement in gaining a ‘Healthy Early Years London’ silver award is testament to the hard work and commitment of staff to provide centre users with access to the best possible support services.”
Notes to editors
- The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is supporting early years education and childcare providers to create healthier environments for the children they serve.
- The Healthy Early Years London is an awards scheme to support achievements in child health, wellbeing and development by childcare providers from birth to age five.
- Healthy Early Years London awards ‘First Steps’, Bronze, Silver and Gold status to centres which actively encourage children to learn about their health and empower them to develop lifelong healthy habits.
- The programme complements and enhances the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage framework – the standards that must be followed for the learning, development and care of children under five.
- Early years providers can find out more at - www.london.gov.uk/healthy-early-years-london