Integrated Children's Centres (ICCs) are based on the concept that providing integrated education, care, family support and health services is a key factor in determining good outcomes for children and their parents, ensuring the best start in life.

In our communities there can be an enormous range of activities taking place relating to families, their education, health and wellbeing. These activities are delivered in all sorts of ways by the statutory and voluntary sectors. Children's Centres are about building what's already good and aiming to make it even better by ensuring all the agencies and organisations involved in delivering services are working in a joined-up way and keeping the child's needs central at all times.

Each ICC will have at its core:

1. Early Years Education
2. Childcare
3. Open Access Play
4. Community Education and Training

Imagine somewhere where you could access:

1. A range of professional childcare services
2. Family support type activities including parenting classes
3. Play sessions
4. Tailored sessions on family nutrition and health
5. A toy library facility for families
6. Access to a range of adult education courses
7. Advice sessions on finding a job and benefits
8. A learning environment
9. A network of childminders working in your area

The ICC will act as a service hub within the community for a wide range of activities relating to child and family health and wellbeing.

1. An audit of local provision has been undertaken by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). This audit has established the areas of priority in Neath Port Talbot.
2. A draft ICC Strategy has been approved and endorsed by the Local Authority.
3. Funding partners are being identified and include:
   Welsh Assembly Government
   The Big Lottery Fund
   Objective 1
   Cymorth

The first three areas targeted for ICC developments are:

1. Aberavon/Sandfields
2. Resolven
3. Ystalyfera

Early Years Education - Links to local schools already providing early years education will be developed and enhanced. In the Aberavon/Sandfields ICC early years education will be included within a new purpose-built, multi-service building.

Childcare - In Aberavon and Resolven brand new accomodation will be built to house a playgroup, day nursery, and out-of-school childcare. In Ystalyfer, a mobile provision will be developed working with the existing childcare provider in the area.

Open Access Play (OAP) - Will build and expand upon recent development work already undertaken in the play sector in Neath Port Talbot including the use of Open Access Play pods.

Community Education and Training - By working with partners already active, a range of training opportunities will be offered, reflecting what you have identified as needed.

1. Neath Port Talbot CBC
2. Children and Young People's Framework Partnership
3. NPT Council Voluntary Services (CVS)
4. Job Centre Plus & Action Team for Jobs
5. National Childminding Association (NCMA)
6. Bro Morgannwg Trust
7. New Learning Network (NLN)
8. NPT Local Health Board
9. NPT College
10. Sandfields Primary School
11. Sandfields First
12. Ynysfach Primary School
13. Glynneath Training Centre
14. NPT Play Working Group
15. Caterpillars Parent & Toddler Group
16. Resolven Building Blocks
17. Sandfields Out-Of-School Club
18. NCH
19. Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs (CPCKC)
20. Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (MYM)
21. Wales Pre-School Playgroups (WPPA)

For further details please contact the EYDCP Unit (Contact Us)