Children’s centres in 13 locations across Greenwich borough face closure as part of the cash-strapped council’s plans to save £33.7 million.

There are currently 23 centres in the borough, which offer early years education and childcare, healthcare services, early identification of children with special needs, family support and careers services . Four of the centres are family hubs, which also offer services for older children and young people.

Thirteen locations will no longer be used by the council as children’s centres, but other services will continue in most of them and some children’s centre services will be provided at other locations. 

The council says the slimmed-down network will be more flexible, and use a “mixture of venues from schools and community centres to youth hubs and nurseries, outdoors in parks, and even in some people’s homes”.

A consultation on the cuts began on Monday. Centres expected to cease operating are:

  • Rachel McMillan, Deptford (children’s centre space to be used by existing nursery)
  • Sherington, Charlton (school to use space for SEN pupils)
  • Pound Park, Charlton (school to use space for SEN pupils)
  • Cardwell, Woolwich (centre to be used for Together for Twos childcare and SEN services)
  • Glyndon, Plumstead
  • Mulgrave, Woolwich (will take on midwifery and health visiting services currently based at Cardwell)
  • Plumstead Children’s Centre (childcare services will expand)
  • Alderwood, Avery Hill (centre to be used for healthcare, midwifery and childcare)
  • Greenacres, Eltham (school to use space for SEN pupils)
  • Shooters Hill Children’s Centre (antenatal and midwifery sessions to remain)
  • Discovery, Thamesmead (space to be used for SEN support)
  • Abbey Wood Children’s Centre (more free childcare services will be provided instead, antenatal and midwifery sessions to remain)

Robert Owen Children’s Centre in Greenwich will have its sessions reduced, while a new family centre will be opened on the Cherry Orchard Estate in Charlton. 

Cutting services was agreed by councillors in March when they approved its biggest-ever package of cuts. Cutting back the service will save £2 million alone, but the council says it will still be spending £3.6 million on the centres, more than any other south-east London borough.

The cuts first entered the public domain last week as part of the “call-in” process, where councillors can formally challenge the decision. None did, but an initial mention of driving distances between centres in the consultation has been replaced with bus journey times after feedback from councillors, the town hall said.

Pound Park nursery school exterior
The children’s centre at Pound Park nursery school in Charlton is to close. Image: The Greenwich Wire

Adel Khaireh, the cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We know how important it is to give our children the best possible start in life. 

“Like other councils across the country, we are facing the inevitable consequences of years of cuts by the former government. Lots of local families really value and benefit from the advice, activities, and support on offer at our Children’s Centres.  

“That’s why we are so determined to reshape these services in a way that will ensure help is still available, despite the need to make savings. But we need our residents to help us by taking part in this important consultation.” 

Last week The Greenwich Wire revealed that Charlton Toy Library, a voluntary group, is being threatened with eviction from its base in Charlton House so that the Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust can bring in a commercial tenant. The council said it was helping the toy library to find new accommodation.

The children’s centres consultation is on the Commonplace website.

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