A Chippenham Sure Start Centre will be passing over to new management tomorrow after four and a half years with Barnardo’s.

Redland Sure Start, which opened in November 2004, has offered a range of free support to almost 3,000 parents, carers and children.

The service, which offers sessions from gardening to baby gym and child-care, will be relocating to Frogwell Primary School.

Barnardo’s will keep its property, including a nursery, on Brook Street, although it will be no longer be classified as a Sure Start Centre.

Barnardo’s children’s services manager Liz James said: “Redland was our first Sure Start children’s centre in the region and served as a hub from which we developed further services across the rest of the county.

“We are incredibly proud of everything that has been achieved by everyone involved with the project over the last five years.”

The management of the centre when it relocates will go to The Rise Trust, which currently manages King’s Rise and Hill Rise Children’s Centres. The centre will then be called Spring Rise.

Barnardo’s management of the centre ended with a party for families who had used the service over the past few years.

Children’s favourite Iggle Piggle was in attendance, and families enjoyed free arts and crafts.

“It was a really good day, and we had about 100 parents and their children coming through the doors to meet their favourite characters,” said Mrs James.

“The parents, staff and volunteers wanted to celebrate this success and they suggested our final parent consultation should be used as a leaving celebration as well.

“The consultation is a regular event which encourages families to share their own suggestions for future services and activities, so it’s important that people share their views before the transfer.

“It has been a pleasure working with these families to give their children the best possible start in life. We will continue to work with parents and children, helping them to transform their lives and achieve their potential.”