Sure Start (Swaythling)

Bassett Green Primary School Honeysuckle Road Southampton

Sure Start Swaythling has its office base in Bassett Green Primary School, Honeysuckle Road. Health Visitors, Family Support Workers, Community Development Workers, Community Nursery Nurses, Play Workers, School Nurses, the Childminding Coordinator and the administrative and management team are based there. Other services also run at the Bassett Green venue, including Speech and Language Therapy and Contraception and Sexual Health service.

The Sure Start health visiting and play teams hold Stay and Play sessions in Mansbridge School, at Bassett Green and the Baptist Church in Fleming Road. Other play sessions are held weekly in term time and more often in the summer holidays. The Avenue Centre group meets weekly to offer support to families. Groups are run jointly with Portage for children who need a bit of extra support. English as a Second language classes are held weekly.

Sure Start’s partner agencies include the local pre-schools, Parent and Toddler Groups, community groups, schools and day nurseries, child minders and health staff, as well as local voluntary agencies.

You can get professional advice on:

• health and family matters
• local childcare options
• access to specialist services for families
• training and job opportunities

or you can just socialise with other people.

Will I have to pay? Sure Start children's centres are open to all children and parents and many of the services are free, for example access to midwives and health visitors. You will have to pay for childcare services but there is support through tax credits for those who are eligible for help. You may also have to pay a small charge for some activities like toddler groups and baby massage.