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Mums dismay at changes to their children’s centre
b13-102 Mother's campaign against cuts to Eastcotts Childrens Centre in Shortstown.
Changes to the way children’s centres are run in Bedford borough has sparked concern from a group of Shortstown mums.
They say that outsourcing to the company 4Children, could mean the centres opening hours are cut. The company has offered to speak with them about their concerns.
Su Smith, who uses Eastcotts Children’s Centre with her young son Isac, said: “Our centre is open five days a week.
“But they are having so many staff reductions that they can’t provide that same service. It might be an idea to have one big children’s centre that is open every day, rather than paying rent on them all.
“I think it’s really sad, people have said that having somewhere to go that was welcoming and supportive has stopped them going down a post natal depression route.”
A Bedford Borough Council spokesman said: “We are keeping all 15 of the borough’s children’s centres open, in spite of the extraordinary financial pressures. After public consultation, children’s centre services will be delivered through four networks across the authority to ensure we meet people’s needs. We firmly believe that these new arrangements represent the best way to work to achieve the best outcomes for children and their families.”
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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