Children's centres in Hayes and Northwood are likely to close from April 2017 because landlords have not agreed to renew leases.

Hillingdon Council is being forced to review its children's centres as it reduces the number of facilities in the borough from 18 to 16.

From April next year the council will take over direct control of the services, which are currently provided by a number of different providers.

'It is essential we listen to feedback'

The children's centre at Hillside Primary School in Northwood

The council's cabinet member for children's services, Councillor David Simmonds, said: "It is essential that we listen to feedback from parents and staff when reviewing council services.

"Families have told us that they value the family support we offer.

"Within the proposed new model, the children's centre programme will continue to provide high quality support to residents whilst also paying and enhanced role in working with other agencies to develop local family support services".

Hillingdon Council is launching a public consultation on the changes and are asking the public to put forward their views from Wednesday, December 14 to January 25.

Children's centres provide a range of services including child health clinics, parenting classes, adult learning classes, specialised family support, breastfeeding advice and stay and play sessions.

'A more coordinated approach'

The Uxbridge College campus in Hayes

The council said the changes to the service are a response to residents' desires for “a more coordinated approach” to family support.

Children's centre at Uxbridge College in Coldharbour Lane, Hayes and at Hillside Primary School in Northwood Way, Northwood will be closing from April 2017.

The council said this is because landlords have declined to agree leases, but that the authority is looking at alternative ways to support residents in those areas.

Each centre has a 'reach area' of around 800 to 1,000 children under the age of five.

The public consultation includes ways to best offer continued services for families in the areas affected by the closures, including access to nearby centres.

You can have your say on the plans to close these two centres by visiting the consultation site here.

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