TWO new children’s centres are to open in the borough – despite widespread concern over funding.

Parents and mums-to-be are set to benefit from the centres in Wickford and Billericay.

Highcliffe Children’s Centre, in Rettendon View, Wickford, will open on Monday while Sunnyside Children’s Centre, in Rosebay Avenue, Billericay, launches on December 12.

The scheme is being funded through a collaboration between South West Essex Community Services and Essex County Council. The news will reassure parents who feared the worst after Essex County Council announced it is cutting £4.25million from its children’s centres budget next year.

Parents can take their children to play sessions, access free childcare and take advantage of professional support groups, including speech and language therapy, and healthy eating sessions.

Mandy Harper, children’s centre co-ordinator, South West Essex Community Services, said both venues will host special “open weeks” to showcase facilities.

She said: “Families with children will be able to drop in to try out all the new toys and equipment, and meet the staff.

“There will be fun activities, such as making Christmas decorations to take home, decorating biscuits, planting bulbs and messy play.

“Everyone will be invited to write any ideas they have for the centres on Christmas baubles, and hang them on the Christmas tree.”

Children’s centres, primarily for newborns to five-year-olds, sprung up in 2006 when the-then Labour Government ploughed millions of pounds into the idea. Basildon currently has five children’s centres, compared to 11 in Southend and three in Castle Point.

The county council runs 86 centres across Essex.

Despite the looming budget reduction, Sarah Candy, Essex county councillor responsible for children’s services, stressed things won’t change for the worse.

She said: “Sometimes, when you do things more efficiently, you do things better.”

For more information about the new centres, visit www.swessex community.nhs.uk