A NEW children’s centre is set to open in Thundersley, making it the fifth one in Castle Point.

Based in the grounds of Thundersley Primary School, in Dark Lane, the Little Handprints Children’s Centre will open next week.

Staff and pupils from the school joined councillors for a sneak preview of the new building that will be a base for a range of services for children aged up to five and their families.

The school council created a piece of artwork, using handprints in a reference to the new centre’s name.

Lisa Wyatt, family link officer for the centre, said: “Parents can come in and get advice on recruitment, parenting, health and lots more.

“The idea is it’s a one-stop-shop for anything a family needs and it’s there no matter what.”

The children centre is one of five in the borough run by the Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services on behalf of Essex County Council.

The charity also runs two on Canvey, at Northwick Park Primary School and Little Tewkes Nursery, one at Richmond Hall, Benfleet, and another at Westwood Primary School, in Hadleigh.

All are open from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday for parents to drop in.

As well as usual children’s centre activities, such as a baby group and stay and play sessions, Little Handprints will have a grandparents group and a speech and language group to help children with their development.”