Cherish Sure Start
Welcome to Cherish Sure Start! We are delighted that you are interested in learning about our services and programs that could support you from pregnancy and throughout the early years of your child’s development.
When you come to any one of our four locations in Irvinestown, Enniskillen, Lisnaskea, and Newtownbutler, we want you to feel welcome, confident and assured that you have the support of our team to help you in these early years of parenting.
We offer a range of free services and programs that you may be eligible to access. If you are unsure whether you can utilise our Sure Start facilities, please don’t hesitate to call or email us for assistance.
If you wish to see our locations, please click here to see our map location.
Programmes
Cherish Sure Start offers a variety of free programmes for parents and families to support you before and after your baby’s arrival. Our programs are designed to provide reassurance and confidence, helping you prepare for childbirth and for the early years of your child’s development. We offer both group and one-to-one programs, allowing you to meet other parents or receive individualised support.
Programmes for Parents and Families
Before the Baby Arrives
- Antenatal for Mum and Dad: Get ready for your new baby with support for expectant parents.
- Hypnobirthing – Welcome to the World: This programme helps you prepare for life with a newborn.
- Real Birth Online: An evidence-based online course to help you understand what happens during labour.
- Antenatal Fitness: Join our antenatal yoga and other programmes to prepare for birth, improve your well-being, and get valuable education.
After the Baby is Born
- Birth Trauma: Three one-on-one sessions offering a gentle and safe way to work through feelings that may remain after a difficult birth or postnatal experience.
- Breastfeeding Help and Support: Get off to a great start with our supportive breastfeeding groups in Irvinestown and Newtownbutler. We offer information, one-on-one support, and a weekly topic to help you with things like sleep and starting solids. You can also borrow electric breast pumps and books.
- Nurturing: These courses promote emotional health, parenting skills, and positive parent-child relationships.
- Incredible Babies: A group designed to foster a secure attachment between parents and infants while encouraging the baby’s physical development and language skills.
- Baby Massage & Baby Yoga: These classes enhance physical development, bonding, and well-being through gentle movements and relaxation techniques.
- Reflexology for Babies: Learn gentle reflexology techniques to help your baby with common issues like colic, constipation, and poor sleeping patterns.
- Sleep Service for Parents: If your child is over 12 months and having trouble sleeping, we can offer one-on-one sessions in our centre or your home to help them get a better night’s rest.
Support for Your Child’s Development
Early Learning Programmes
- Tiny Me & Tiny Tots: These developmental programmes are for 2 to 3-year-olds to help them improve their social, emotional, and language skills before they transition to pre-school.
- Solid Start: A play-based programme for 2 to 3-year-olds to help them get ready for school.
- Messy Play: These sessions allow children to develop creativity and fine motor skills by mixing, pouring, and squishing materials. The best part? We do the cleanup!
- Baby Sensory: Structured play and activities that help with your baby’s development through movement, tactile stimulation, and visual engagement.
- Play and Learn Drop-In: Stop by to connect with other parents and find new ways to engage with your child.
Health and Wellness
- Healthy Eating: Get support through the Healthy Start Scheme, which provides a prepaid card to buy healthy foods and free vitamins.
- Cook-It: A six-week practical cooking course that helps you improve your skills, learn about nutrition, and cook fast, affordable, and healthy meals for your family.
- Boogie Beats: A four-week music and dance programme for parents and toddlers aged 2 to 4. It promotes physical development, improves speech and language, and helps with self-expression.
- Tumbling Tots: A play-based programme to support the health, well-being, and development of children under four.
- Paediatric First Aid: A course designed for anyone who cares for children aged 0-8. Learn basic but vital first-aid information for accidents and emergencies.
Mental Health Support
- Living Life to the Full
- Mood Matters for Parents and Baby
- Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
Parenting and Family Support
- Cherish Sure Start Creche: Our on-site creche allows you to attend programmes and courses while your child is cared for in a safe environment with qualified staff. We also offer respite places if you need additional support.
- Nurturing Programme: One of our most popular and positive parenting programmes, this course provides strategies and support to help you in your parenting role.
- The Parenting Puzzle: This four-week programme helps you navigate the challenges of parenthood so you can have a more fulfilled, calmer family life.
- Potty Training: We can provide one-on-one guidance to help you through the potty-training journey, including addressing topics like poo phobia and knowing when to start.
- Circle of Security Programme (COS-P): An eight-week parenting programme for caregivers of children aged 4 months to 6 years. It helps you nurture your child’s emotional resilience and attachment while fostering their independence.
- Autism Spectrum & Language Delays Parenting Programme: A twelve-week programme for parents of young children on the autism spectrum or with language delays. It promotes emotional regulation, social skills, and language development.
Family Support Team
Our team works with parents to support their role as a child’s first educator. We offer home visits that can include:
- Antenatal support
- Breastfeeding help
- Baby massage
- General parenting support
Developmental Programme for 2-3 Year Olds (DP2-3)
This programme is a child’s first experience in a learning environment outside of the home. The goal is to make a positive first impression that will influence your child’s ability to enjoy learning now and in the future.
The programme focuses on a play-based approach to development in group settings, enhancing social, emotional, communication, language, physical, and intellectual growth.
To participate, parents must agree to:
- Attend an information session.
- Attend regular ‘stay and play’ sessions with your child.
- Allow regular home visits from a trained staff member.
- Ensure your child attends at least 80% of the sessions.
The programme operates throughout the school year for 7.5 hours per week. There are currently 60 places available: 24 in Newtownbutler, 24 in Irvinestown, and 12 in Enniskillen. You can get a copy of the criteria from the DENI website.
Transition Programme
This programme works with parents and local pre-schools to ensure a smooth and enjoyable transition for your child. We can also help you with your application form and share a transition report with the pre-school.
Speech and Language Support
A Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) visits each group to provide advice and workshops for families. They will conduct a short language screening using the WellComm toolkit at the start and end of the year to support language planning. Parental consent is required for any screening.
You can also arrange a one-on-one meeting with the SLT if you have individual queries about your child’s communication.
Cherish Volunteering Opportunities
Community development provides parents with the opportunity to get involved with the ARC Healthy Living Centre. You can attend parent forums or volunteer to help at sessions.
If you have any questions or want to learn more? Feel free to contact us here.
