Seashells is operated by the charity Children & Families and provides a wide range of child and family support services to the local community. A number of these services are delivered in-house and include:
Seashells Children’s Centre – this team runs groups and activities for local families with a particular emphasis on younger children. Groups focus on supporting child development, language, early education and child health. The team also runs parenting support programmes and provides one to one additional support where needed either at the centre, in the home or by making use of community venues as appropriate. We also have specialist workers with a focus on supporting families with their finances and their fuel and water usage.
Seashells Nursery – is a large full day care nursery and out of school hours club providing early education and childcare to 0-11s. Care is provided for up to 50 hours per week throughout the year and we offer all the government funded entitlements available, ensuring that parents are able to access as much free care and early learning as possible. We have a dedicated SENDCO to support children with additional needs and a qualified teacher, who oversees the delivery of our early education programmes.
The Family Food Bank & Kent Community Pantry – are projects we have developed as another way to support families and the community. The Family Food Bank provides emergency food boxes to families in crisis and is intended as a short-term intervention, to help families experiencing short term difficulties. Kent Community Pantry is an ongoing membership scheme that provides a weekly selection of fresh and ambient food products to its members.
Several other organisations provide other important services from our hub too. These include: Health Visiting clinics, Midwife clinics, CAMHS, Adult Education, Specialist Teaching & Learning and Specialist Children’s Services among others.
