Overland Children and Family Centre

"I've been to many children centre before lockdown and post lockdown this was the worst I experienced. They had a system where you phone and book which was fine but then once this was got rid of, parents would need to come in through the gates, park up their buggies then go and sign into reception only to be told the places are full and they need to return back. You are dealing with children and parents who suffered enough trauma due to lockdown, how do you explain to vulnerable children who suffer from a lack of social skills that what they came for, isn't available? To avoid this, overland could've put a sign up on the gates to avoid parents from getting their children out of buggies. Another incident was, making parents sign in but then asking them to wait outside (in bad weather too) - again children don't understand this, once they come through the double doors, they believe their parents are taking them back and they don't want this so they react negatively and then you have staff telling them and threatening them indirectly in their 'sweet' voice that they'll have to go back if they don't wait outside, children don't understand this! Some new staff also started working there and their attitudes towards certain parents was awful like parents are to be blamed for the way their children are. Rather than providing a welcoming and inclusive environment, they did the opposite. Having rules like shoes off on carpet so it can remain clean, some children react negatively to this as they only take shoes off at home and they don't associate this as home but then watching a parent struggling to keep their children calm in this situation whilst staff still staying firm in their decision was awful to watch. I mean primary schools don't even expect this."

"Nice open friendly and safe place to be."

"I love it! The people who work there are really kind and professional..."

"I haven't been able to go much due to lockdown but its quite nice and clean and well managed during health visitor appointments"

"This a great centre for young children. Some very good activities and facilities for children. I do wish the guy on reception was a little more friendly though!"