Dartford Children's Centres
Speech & Language and Additional Needs
Music Groups - for children aged 0-5 years
All Dartford centres offer music groups open to all children under five years of age with their parents or carers.
The aim of these groups is to help develop children’s communication, confidence and social skills through singing and music making. Parents and children join in together and have fun within a relaxed environment to sing traditional and new songs, play instruments and learn actions and signs.
Children are encouraged to recite rhymes each week, usually during our sitting down time, and are sometimes asked to choose their favourite one for the group to say. We have a range of instruments, puppets and other props for example parachutes, ribbons and other things to bring fun and action into the songs.
Each session ends with a refreshment time, which includes fruit and a drink for the children and water for the adults.
The Government’s Singing Ambassador, Howard Goodall (Nov 2007) said,
“Singing builds a child’s self–esteem, promotes team work irrespective of age, gender or background, celebrates diversity, facilitates self-expression and is just plain fun.”
(DCSF Website - 21-11-07)
Little Stars - for children aged 0-5 years with an additional need
Every Wednesday from 9:30a.m. until 
11:00a.m
At Temple Hill Children's Centre
A drop-in group open to all families, within the Dartford area, who have a child that has any additional need. The group is run by professional, qualified staff that all have experience of working with children with additional needs and can draw on the expertise of other members of a larger multi agency team.
Little Stars generally tends to cater for small numbers
of children, which allows more space for them to move around freely in and allows the staff more one-on-one time with each family that attends. This allows each family to feel supported by staff and as parents feel more comfortable, they start socialising with other parents, which opens up a wider support network.
The hall lay out is the same every week, to allow children to feel confident and secure and this offers them some familiarity. Within this set up there is a mixture of stimulating free play activities, as well as some planned structured activities, facilitated by the staff. The outdoor area is used regularly, as long as weather permits it. The children are also offered a snack during the session, when staff encourage parents and children to sit down together.
There are lots of exciting and fun toys accessible to the children, which are aimed at using one or more of the child’s senses. All the activities and toys are ideal to help your child develop.
For more information regarding Little Stars please call 01322 223979
Kent Parent Partnership Service
Does your child have any Additional Educational needs? Would you like advice, support or more understanding of Additional Educational Needs or Special Educational needs?Then contact the Kent Parent Partnership Service helpline on 01622 755515 or visit the Kent Parent Partnership Service Website.
Parent's Consortium
The Parents Consortium is a charitable company who provide services to families, schools, hospitals, children's homes and other organisations who need their support. Membership is open to all parents and carers who have a disabled child aged nineteen or under in the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley area.
The children and young people who use the Parent's Consortium services are those with any form of physical, learning or sensory impairmen.They provide appropriate activities for children of all abilities, including full-time one-to-one support for some children and cater for parents and siblings to join in too!
To find out more about the services and facilities of the Parents Consortium visit their website or call 01322 668501 or email admin@parentsconsortium.co.uk