Children's centres
Ockendon Children's Centre
Address
2a Afton Drive,
South Ockendon,
RM15 5PA
You can phone or visit the centre at the following times:
- Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 5pm
- Fridays from 8:30am to 4:30pm
Mondays
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30am to 11am | Chatterbox | From 9 January. For ages 24 months to 36 months. A structured language group running for 6 to 8 weeks providing support, advice and guidance to help your child develop their communications skills. By referral only. |
| 11:30am to 12:30pm | Baby massage | From 9 January. For ages 0 to 12 months. This course offers a wonderful opportunity for you to bond and learn how to communicate with your baby through nurturing touch and massage in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Book in advance. |
| 11:30am to 12:30pm | Mark making | 9 January. For ages 24 months to 60 months. All welcome. |
Tuesdays
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9am to 10am | Baby sensory | From 10 January. For ages 0 to 12 months. Book in advance. |
| 9am to 10am | Let's talk with your toddler | From 10 January. For ages 12 months to 24 months. A programme to support your child's communication and language skills, including advice and strategies you can use in the home. Book in advance. |
| 9am to 5pm | Midwife appointments | Pre-natal checks, advice and support for you and your baby. Phone your midwife to book in advance. |
| 10:30am to 11:30am | Let's talk with your baby | From 10 January. For ages 0 to 12 months. A programme to promote positive adult-child interaction, communication skills, attachment and stimulation in a rich environment through interactive, fun activities. Book in advance. |
| 10:30am to midday | Baby massage | From 10 January. For ages 0 to 12 months. This course offers a wonderful opportunity for you to bond and learn how to communicate with your baby through nurturing touch and massage in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Book in advance. |
| 1:30pm to 2:30pm | Special educational needs and disability (SEND) – Just for You | Term-time only. For children with additional support needs, ages 0 to 60 months. Fun activities for you and your child. The sessions promote social skills and stimulation to support your child's development. The session also shares ideas to support your child's learning at home. Book in advance. |
Wednesdays
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9am to midday | Infant feeding advice and support | At South Ockendon Health Centre, Darenth Lane, South Ockendon, RM15 5LP. Phone 07534 227 974 or 0300 300 1999 to book in advance. |
| 9am to 5pm | 1 and 2 year-olds development assessment checks | Health and development assessment to check your child's weight, height, learning, diet and behaviour. Book in advance by phoning 0300 300 1999. |
| 10am to midday | Parent outreach service | Second Wednesday of the month. Parent outreach workers provide high quality support and parental outreach services to families in their own home with a series of home visits. Parent outreach workers will also support parents to access and use services at the children's centre and in the community. Book in advance. |
| 10am to 12:30pm | Job club | Support for families from an employment adviser. Book in advance by phoning 07776 245 301. |
| 1pm to 2pm | Bring a story to life | From 11 January. For ages 24 months to 60 months. All welcome. 11 January - 'The Hungry Caterpillar' 18 January - 'Going on a Bear Hunt'. |
| 1pm to 4pm | Speech and language clinic | Fourth Wednesday of the month. By appointment only. Phone 0300 300 1544. |
| 4pm to 5:30pm | Young carers | Term-time only. Support sessions for children aged 4 to 8 years-old who are identified as young carers. By referral only. |
Thursdays
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9am to midday | Antenatal blood screening | Blood screening for those in the early stages of pregnancy, up to 10 weeks. Book in advance. |
| 9am to 5pm | Midwife appointments | Pre-natal checks, advice and support for you and your baby. Phone your midwife to book in advance. |
| 9:15am to 10:15am | Stay and play | From 12 January. For ages 12 months to 24 months. Fun activities for you and your child. The sessions promote social skills and stimulation to support your child's development. The session also shares ideas to support your child's learning at home. All welcome. |
| 11am to midday | Stay and play | From 12 January. For ages 24 months to 60 months. Fun activities for you and your child. The sessions promote social skills and stimulation to support your child's development. The session also shares ideas to support your child's learning at home. All welcome. |
| 1:30pm to 2:30pm | Stay and play | From 12 January. For ages 0 to 12 months. Fun activities for you and your baby. The sessions promote social skills and stimulation to support your child's development. The session also shares ideas to support your child's learning at home. All welcome. |
| 1pm to 5pm | New born screening | Includes baby weighing and heel-prick blood tests for new born babies, from day 5 to day 8. Phone your midwife to book in advance. |
Fridays
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9am to 10am | Dental event | 6 January. For ages 0 to 60 months. Helps families gain knowledge and understanding about supporting their children with good dental hygiene the frequency of sugars, the importance of brushing teeth and how to manage dental visits. Book in advance. |
| 9am to 10am | Bookstart toddler | 20 January. For ages 12 months to 24 months. Book in advance. |
| 9am to 10am | Let's talk potty training | 27 January. For ages 24 months to 60 months. An interactive session to help families gain knowledge and understanding about potty training. Book in advance. |
| 9:30am to 2:30pm | Empowering parents, empowering communities – group leader training | Book in advance. |
| 10:30am to 11:30am | Fun, food and fitness | From 6 January. For ages 24 months to 60 months. Fun, physical activities and ideas to keep your child healthy and fit. An opportunity for your child to try different types of food each week and for parents to receive advice on healthy eating including fussy eating and portion sizes. Book in advance. |
| 1:30pm to 2:30pm | Messy play | From 6 January. For ages 12 months to 60 months. All welcome. |
Other activities
A wide range of activities are organised at children's centres across Thurrock, either regularly or from time to time. You can find out more about these activities in the document below. Check the timetables of individual children's centres for latest details.
Registration
You can use the registration form below to register yourself and your child at this children's centre, or any of our other children's centres.