Government funding of £2.6m has helped secure the future of Bristol’s first specialist children’s centre, which will give families access to health, community and education workers all in one place.
The site at Bluebell Valley in Avonmouth will offer support services to children from birth to the age of 11. It will also help those with severe learning difficulties up to the age of seven.
The centre will be staffed by professionals including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, disability nurses, family support workers, nursery workers, specialist health visitors and teachers.
Bristol City Council has contributed £1.5m of funding towards the £4.1m centre, which will bring together The Four Villages Children’s Centre and the newly amalgamated Bluebell Valley Nursery School and Weston Park Primary school.
Nick Batchelar, the council’s service director for learning, achievement and schools, said: “We know that families with very young children like to see co-ordinated services, ideally offered together in one location.
“At Bluebell Valley, parents with babies, toddlers, or school children, will benefit from seamless education, specialist healthcare and advice services, right through until secondary school.”
The centre is expected to open in September 2011.
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