A CHILDREN’S centre in Dursley welcomed Neil Carmichael MP last week to discuss issues surrounding early years education.

Mr Carmichael, Conservative MP for the Stroud district, paid a visit to Treetops Children’s Centre to meet trustees, staff, and parents.

It is the first time the politician has visited one of the Hill Valley and Vale run children’s centres since becoming MP for Stroud and he received a full tour of the day nursery, as well as meeting staff delivering targeted support services.

During the tour Mr Carmichael chatted to children and even joined them on the bouncy castle, a special treat for the last day of term.

Following the tour he sat down with trustees, managers and parents to discuss important issues facing early years education, health and social care.

Mr Carmichael said: “This government recognises the value that Children’s Centres provide and the value they bring to the community.

“Treetops is a fabulous facility, and a great social enterprise, where children are obviously thriving in a vibrant environment.”

Mr Carmichael was recently appointed chairman of the government’s Education Select Committee, whose remit includes early years.

Hill Valley and Vale Children’s Centre manager Sarah Birch said: “We are pleased that Neil Carmichael came to see the work we do and that he recognises the vital role Children’s Centres play.

“We discussed some very important issues, including funding for the proposed 30 hours free childcare for working parents and the success of children’s centres in improving the lives of under-fives.

“Neil has promised to feedback our funding concerns to government and further investigate the opportunity for a select committee inquiry into early years education.”

Hill Valley and Vale is a registered charity responsible for running seven children’s centres in the Stroud District. It employs over 100 staff and has 50 volunteers.

All of the centres’ education and childcare is rated either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ and figures show it is narrowing the gap in educational achievement in some of the most deprived areas of Stroud.