by Nikki Jarvis

nikki.jarvis@essnmedia.co.uk

Building work has started to establish a "life-changing" new children's centre in Waddon.

Around £500,000 has been allocated by the Government and Croydon Council to create a permanent base for Duppas Children's Centre.

Its home will be next to Duppas Junior School, in Goodwin Road, and it will cater for youngsters under the age of five.

The centre has been running since November 2008 from two classrooms in the school.

But, with building work having started last month, manager Graham Brown "cannot wait" for the new home to be up and running in May next year.

He said: "This is one area in particular need of such a centre.

"It will be a tremendous facility - coming along has made a huge difference to the lives of the children that have been with us for the year we've been open.

"When the building is complete we will be able to provide more for children and their parents – a very positive change is on the horizon."

As well as providing activities for the children, the centre will offer their mums and dads advice about healthcare, job opportunities and parental training.

Headteacher of Duppas Junior School, Tony Pierce is equally excited at the prospect of the centre being completed.

He said: "Children Graham nurtures at the centre will come over to our school when they are old enough so it's like wrap-around care.

"It's such a big step forward for Waddon – with the doctors' surgery nearby and training for parents here we'll have all the community services in one place."

Mr Pierce believes the new centre - which will cater for around 40 children and their parents – will unite families in the area.

He added: "Children at school will see their siblings at the centre coming to their school and this will continue for many years to come.

"School will also be open during evenings for IT lessons for parents and activities for older children.

"This will really bring families together as there will be so many opportunities for them to be around each other.

"We may even start family lunchtime sessions – it's an extremely positive change for our community and I think it will make a dramatic difference to the lives of many families."

There are now 26 similar centres across Croydon as part of the national Every Child Matters initiative to give children the best start in life.

Chair of the children's centre's advisory group Alan Winborn added: "We are going to see children from a few months old right the way through to 11 plus and we will be able to help sort out any personal issues they have as they grow up."