Birstall and Birkenshaw Children's Centre is a SureStart centre where parents of children up to to five can seek help and advice for any issues they may have under one roof.

And leaders say that at the same time parents can be assured that children are having fun at the man activity sessions taking place.

The centre, in Fieldhead Crescent, has only been open for four weeks, and has already proved to be a popular choice with parents, who benefit from the friendly and comfortable environment where they can meet with the midwife, nursery nurse and health visitor.

Early learning manager and children's centre co-ordinator Kate Banfield said the centre provides many of the services parents need and can point them in the right direction of others.

She said: "There's always someone here at the centre to offer support and advice for what parents need. They don't just need one service, they need many, joined up together, because being a parent is the most important job in the world.

"If families need help with their child's development and play there's always someone here they can talk to. Our health visitor is here to offer advice and we offer family support for anyone who may be finding it difficult to adapt to the changes in their life.

"We have links with Job Centre Plus and will give advice to parents wanting to go back to work. We offer skills courses which could lead to college programmes and employment and give advise on benefits."

Kate added that they were also hoping to bring services into the centre on a rolling programme.

The centre is the fifth SureStart centre in the area, with four already set up in Batley. The centres come from a government initiative for more children's centre in the country.

Since September last year, when the centre was based at Fieldhead Community Centre, it has taken on around 100 new customers, with 30 coming in just the last four weeks.

Kate said that was a good start, but with 900 children in Birstall and Birkenshaw, there was still a long way to go.

She said: "The feedback we have got from the parents has been that it's a really comforting place with a nice feel. Somewhere they can get any help they may need and have check ups from the nursery nurse or midwife."

Link worker Craig Wright is responsible for getting out into the community and telling parents what the centre has to offer.

He said: "I think it's nice that I'm a male in the industry, as it's not something that you see a lot.

"I've always wanted to work with children, and I think it is important when children don't necessarily have a father figure at home they can come to the centre and can see me as a role model."

Craig also runs some of the activities for parents and their babies.
Sessions at the centre include the One Stop Shop, where parents can receive advice and support from the health visitor with play sessions and adult activities, Jolly Babies, where parents are taught to bond with their babies and help them communicate, and Baby Massage.

Call into the centre to look around the building and experience the sessions, or for more information call 01924 326392.