How we can help
The aim of the centre is to provide a range of services to children under five and their families in order to support their personal development, and relieve pressures for parent/carers and promote positive experiences of family life.
The centre’s services include:
Daycare:
Places are allocated to priority children who have been referred to Lewisham Early Years by their Health Visitor or Social Worker.
Once their application is received by the centre, a home visit is arranged to see if we are able to meet the child’s needs. Once attending the centre the child has a ‘settling in period’ that is suited to their individual needs. This usually consists of a one – two week settling in period. The parent/carer gradually reduces the amount of time they spend in the group room as their child gets used to the daily routine and begins to interact with staff and the other children who attend the centre.
The children’s progress is monitored and regular meetings are held with the parent/carers to share reports compiled by the child’s key worker. In addition a leaving summary is produced for each child on transfer to school. This outlines their progress in the key stages of their development and highlights any additional support given through working in partnership with other professionals. This is shared with the school with parent/carers consent.
Children who have additional needs are included in all the centres activities and have Individual Education Plans drawn up to support their learning and development. All children have identified areas of their development that their key worker focuses on in addition to promoting their all round development. Communication skills are developed through the use of Makaton and PECS. Parent/carers are encouraged to develop these forms of communication with their children in addition to the promotion of language skills.
At Akwaaba we work with a wide range of professionals in order to promote children’s individual learning and development. Children whose development is causing concern are (with parent/carers consent) referred to other professionals such as the child development team, speech therapist, educational psychologist, learning support team, occupational and physiotherapist for assessment, support and advice.
2) Sure Start:
The Akwaaba Centre in partnership with Evelyn Sure Start offer a number of places to children of parent/carers in the Evelyn ward who live within the designated area post codes and fulfil the criteria listed previously. Application forms are available from the Centre Administrator. Children access the same curriculum as the rest of the children attending the centre and are supported in their learning in the same way. The children have their placements reviewed on a six monthly basis.
