Sure Start - A.B.B.E.Y. (Newtownabbey)

A.B.B.E.Y Sure Start is a local project providing services for families with children aged 0-4 and mother and fathers to be. We offer a FREE range of services designed to deliver a bright beginning in early years for every child. Sure Start encourages partnership working between statutory, voluntary and community sectors and parents to encourage the physical, intellectual and social development of babies and young children. We believe a bright beginning leads to a brighter future. We cover families in Bawnmore, Longlands, Rathcoole, Whitehouse, Rathfern, Cloughfern, parts of Monkstown, Abbeyville and Glenville areas. Check if you live in our catchment area in our post code search section. Family Support ABBEY Sure Start also provides support for families through home support, parenting programmes and workshops. We aim to: • Improve social and emotional development • Improve the ability to learn • Improve health and well-being • Strengthen families and communities Having a baby and becoming a parent is very exciting, but sometimes parents don’t know what to expect so the ABBEY Sure Start team are on hand every step of the way before and after the birth of your baby to offer additional advice, support and lots of FREE programmes. Antenatal Having a baby is life-changing which is exciting and scary all at the same time! Our Welcome to the World programme offers antenatal support both mum and dad. Come for advice on pregnancy, tips for labour and a chance to meet other expectant parents. Breastfeeding Support Our Bosom Buddies breastfeeding support meets at Monkstown Village Centre every Monday from 10-11.30am. Run by our Health Visitor, all breastfeeding mums and mums to be are welcome to attend. This is the only service we offer to those outside of our catchment area also. Baby Classes We have lots on offer for you and your baby including Baby Massage, Baby Yoga and Baby Time. Enjoy taking part in a programme with your little one and learn some new skills and techniques. Parent Classes Do you want to learn something new? We have lots of parent programmes available such as Incredible Years, Nurturing and Living With Young Children. Each of these programmes teach you new skills to tackle challenging behaviour, give you new ideas for play time or just give you an opportunity to meet other parents get any problems off your chest in a supportive and friendly environment. Health and Fitness Change your lifestyle with the help of our Health Development Officer. We run weekly fitness programmes as well as a Couch-5k running programme and healthy cooking classes. Speech and Language We have an on-site speech and language therapist available for any queries you may have regarding your child’s speech development. We also run programmes like Talking Toddlers and Let’s Talk to help give you ideas for things you can do at home to encourage and develop speech. Crèche All parenting programmes have a crèche available to look after your little one while you enjoy your class. The children will enjoy exploring this new environment and use natural resources to have creative, imaginative and physical play time. Sure Starts Developmental programme for 2-3 year olds (formerly Terrific Twos) Our Developmental programme focuses on constructive play in a group setting to enhance children’s all round development. A central element of the programme is participation and involvement of parents. It runs 3 days a week, a uniform is provided free of charge and runs September-June. This is for children in their pre-pre-school year. • It is funded by the Department of Education • It must operate 7.5 hours per week for between 38 – 40 weeks • Session times must be 2.5 hours long, there are three sessions per week • It currently operates at Merville Garden Village, Dunanney Centre (Rathcoole) and Abbeytown Square (Monkstown) • It has an essential requirement that parents attend stay and play sessions/workshops once a month and home visits once per quarter. We host open days early in January /February to allow parents to pick up an application form and get more info about the programme. Check out our news section  for up to date info.

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