Coronavirus
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, centre programmes and drop-ins have been suspended until further notice
This includes most Early Learning Together programmes, Health Clinics (drop-ins), Incredible Years programmes and Communication Groups
We are moving toward delivering some sessions virtually, starting with the Early Learning Together Baby programme (baby massage). Other programmes are following.
If you have any concerns about your child and feel you could benefit from some support via any of our other programmes during the outbreak, please do speak to your health visitor or another practitioner who is working with you and your child.
To speak to the health visiting team in Merton during the Covid-19 outbreak, please call 03300 539 264 for confidential health advice and support, available every day from 9.00am - 5.00pm
If your child attends a Merton Local Authority School and you would like to speak to the school nursing team during the Covid-19 outbreak, please call 020 8102 3350 or Email CLCHT.schoolnursingmerton@nhs.net for confidential health advice and support, available every day from 9.00am - 5.00pm.
Child Health Development Checks and Breast Feeding Support continue to be offered at children's centres in Merton. Please contact your Health Visitor for details on 03300 539264
Midwifery appointments are also currently continuing. Please contact your midwife for details
- Epsom and St Helier: 020 8296 2542
- St George's: 020 8725 4714
Helping you with your child development questions
During this national lockdown, we know you may have questions about your young child and their development. We are currently unable to provide all of the usual range of support in Merton's children's centre buildings, so we are offering all Merton parents of children under 4 years the opportunity to speak to a children's centre worker or Family Engagement Officer if they wish to.
We can help you if you have questions about your child, such as:
- supporting positive behaviour
- their communication and speech
- meeting expected ages and stages
- activities to keep them occupied and learning
- their routines or sleeping
- parenting strategies
- general development concerns
- anything else that is concerning you about your child during lockdown
Please email fsd@merton.gov.uk with your name, telephone number, the age of your child and details of the information / support you are seeking. One of the children's centres team will call you back to discuss this in more detail.
We look forward to talking with you and supporting you and your family.
Timetable and services
Our children's centres offer services for parents and carers from pregnancy through to the end of their child's reception year at school.
We provide a range of drop-ins and bookable programmes to your child's learning and development, including baby massage for first-time parents, speech and language and parenting programmes and support for families with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
We also work closely with our midwifery and health visiting partners. Antenatal and postnatal clinics, development checks and weaning support are delivered though the centres, along with drop-in child health clinics.
For details of eligibility and bookings for programmes, please speak to a member of children's centre staff, your health visitor or other practitioner who is working with you and your child.
Merton's children's centres
The links below take you to more information about what is available at children's centre sites in Merton.
Child development support
Parenting support
Speech, language and social communication support
Support for young parents
Young parents drop-in
Family support
Family Information and Support Hubs
Register to use our children's centres
When you first access services at a children's centre, you will be asked to register with us. Registering helps us to keep you informed about our services and helps us to monitor and improve them.
The Children's Centre Registration Database - Why we collect information
Referral form for professionals and practitioners
Early Years and Family Wellbeing Service Referral (April 2021)
Early Years and Family Wellbeing Service Referral (April 2021) - Print Version
Free Healthy Start vouchers
Good nutrition in pregnancy and early childhood leads to better long-term health. Healthy Start Vouchers are free vouchers to spend every week to spend on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk in retail outlets. They also include vouchers for free vitamins which you can collect from Acacia or Lavender Steers Mead Children's Centres.
If you are at least 10 weeks pregnant, have a child under 4 years old, or you are under 18 and pregnant, you could qualify.
Visit the
Healthy Start Website to find out more and apply for Healthy Start vouchers.
If you are eligible, you can collect your vitamins from
Acacia Children's Centre or
Lavender Steers Mead Children's Centre.
See also
Merton Information for Families Facebook page
Contact us
Email:
fsd@merton.gov.uk
