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Contents

1. Children's Centre Provision
2. Eligibility Criteria for Use of Rooms
3. Out of Hours Hire
4. Protocols
5. Charges
6. Cancellations
7. Services

1. Children's Centre Provision

The Children's Centre is a multi use environment, which is planned to keep a balance between children's and adults spaces. The centre feels that both children and adults deserve the highest possible quality and all rooms are furnished and equipped to a very high standard.

The Centre wants other agencies and individuals to use the space and resources, so that as many children and families as is practically possible benefit from its use. So that the high standards are maintained it is necessary to charge for rooms and equipment under certain circumstances. This policy sets out the rates and under which circumstances they will apply.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Use of Rooms

The Centre is available for the use by the following:

Individuals from organisations and agencies who work with children under 8 and their families (inc voluntary/private agencies) and are using the room with and for the benefit of children or parents, this includes 'Contact' use.

Community groups whose focus are young children and families.

Local parents if they are meeting with young children or for supportive purposes.

There is no charge to Children's Centre partners who are using rooms to deliver services from the rooms

The Centre has a Multi Use Space which can be set up for meetings or training purposes and which can be hired for a charge to external agencies. The room caterers for up to 12 to 20 adults dependent on the preferred layout.

The Centre also has a small meeting room that is available for one to one discussions.

The Centre is a working environment and not a conference venue and does not have staff available to service meetings or training events.

3. Out of Hours Hire

For security and staffing reasons we are only able to let rooms on a very limited basis beyond these hours, dependent on the caretakers availability to open and lock the buildings.

4. Protocols

There is an expectation by the staff that everyone who uses the Centre treats the environment and resources with respect. Additionally any groups or activities, which involve the care of children and take place in the Centre, must meet the Centres standards in relation to 'Inclusion, Child Protection and the Positive Management of Children's Behaviour'.

Please note that any outside agencies need to have appropriate CRB checks and insurance in place and sight of this may be requested.

5. Charges

Each Children's Centre not based on a school site have individual charges for room hire - please contact centres for information.

Children's Centres based in schools have the following charges.

Day Time Charges

£15 per hour or £30 morning/afternoon session (4hours or any part thereof)

Evening Hire

Anyone wishing to hire a room after 6.00 pm will be charged at daytime rate with an additional Caretaking cost of £15.00 ( e.g. 5pm - 7pm £30 + £15 - £45 (see Section 3, Out of Hours Hire)

6. Cancellations

Agencies will be invoiced at the time of booking, to pay within 30 days and in advance to the hire taking place. Block bookings must be paid in full and in advance. Charges still apply, unless at least 48 hours notice of cancellation is given.

7. Services

1. Stay and Play Sessions, Parent and Toddler groups etc - there will be a voluntary contribution for refreshments.
2. Any service that is provided by an external provider can be charged to cover the cost of the provider e.g. Baby Massage, Jungle Joey's etc.
3. Any partner in the delivery of the children's centre core offer should not be charged.
4. Any childcare provision including crèche provision must be charged for to either the parent or the agency. (This could be from Adult Education, Jobcentre Plus, Webster Stratton etc).  Where parents are undertaking family support programmes then the sessional childcare scheme applies.

End