Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Children's Services

25 May 2006

Millhill Early Years Centre, Waterlooville

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

How the conclusion in this report fits with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of all Corporate Aims, focusing most immediately on:

Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities: the proposal to refurbish the Early Years Centre will support the development of parenting skills and child development in the community.

Aim 5 - improving services: all users of the proposed new facilities will benefit from improved public access and secure facilities and the development of this Centre as a Children's Centre.

1

Summary

1.1

Mill Hill Early Years Centre (EYC) is located in Mill Road, Waterlooville, within the former Waite End Infant School buildings. The Centre provides a range of family support services and runs courses and advice on parenting aimed at increasing parent understanding of child development and behaviour. The Centre also provides access to specialist services including Home-Start, Portage, Toy Library, Contact Centre and Kids' Saturday Club.

1.3

It is proposed to carry out refurbishment works in order to allow the administrative elements of the provision to relocate into one area of the building and to improve space and access for services directly accessed by families. Once complete, the Centre will seek designation as Full Core Children's Centre as part of the County Council's Children's Centre initiative. The total estimated cost of the proposed scheme is £248,064, excluding fees.

1.2

The EYC also accommodates two nurseries, Waite-End Day Nursery and Jubilee Corner, which cater for babies and children up to four years of age, and welcomes children with special needs. After-school care facilities and holiday childcare schemes are run by the Community Childcare Centres.

1.4

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the refurbishment works and the purpose of this report is to outline the proposals.

2

Scope of the Works

2.1

The works include improvements to the main public entrance to provide a new secure lobby and an extension to the reception area.

2.2

Existing public facilities (IT area, toy library, soft play and sensory room) will be relocated to the existing hall area so as to be more directly accessible to users.

2.3

The existing office areas will also be reconfigured to reflect current needs and to encourage interaction between the various teams using the accommodation.

2.4

The redundant school kitchen will be adapted for use as a conference area (previously provided in the existing hall).

2.5

Some minor improvements may be carried out to improve supervision within the Waite Nursery and reconfiguration of the entrance area to the Jubilee Nursery to provide a more satisfactory parent area.

3

Funding and Timing

3.1

Funding of £224,064, excluding fees, is to be made available from the Children's Services Capital Programme 06/07, together with a contribution of £24,000, excluding fees, from the Mill Hill Early Years Centre.

3.2

These works may require negotiation of tenancies to third party occupiers, but as all users have been previously consulted, it is not anticipated that this will affect the programme set out below.

3.3

Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that tenders will be invited during July 2006, work will commence on site during September 2006 and be completed during December 2006.

4

Consultation with Local Member

4.1

Councillor Robin McIntosh, the local Member for this area, has been consulted on the proposals and has confirmed his support of the scheme.

Conclusion

This refurbishment scheme will improve access to services for families and provide better configuration of spaces to enable growth.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Children's Services approves the scheme at the Millhill Early Years Centre at an estimated cost of £248,064, excluding fees.