Woodgrove is one of 23 children’s centres across the county which could close under new cost-cutting proposals by Kent County Council.

The centre in Johnson Road, Sittingbourne, was opened five years ago through the Sure Start initiative.

The aim of the programme is to “give children the best possible start in life” through improvement of childcare, early education, health and family support.

A total of 607 under-fives and their families use Woodgrove although 410 of them also use nearby sites – Grove Park, Milton Court, Murston and Bysing Wood.

Services available include play sessions, courses and groups for parents/carers including adult education, ante-natal and post-natal, weekly child health clinic and midwife appointments.

It also supports parents who are looking for work or training and helps them access family support and health services.

But KCC wants to set out a new model for its children’s centres which is sustainable for their long-term futures. It has identified 23 centres, including Woodgrove, out of 97 across the county which it believes are no longer needed.

To make up the loss, council chiefs are suggesting 16 “lead centres”, which already provide services for a larger number of families. These would co-ordinate with other smaller ones in their area.

The bigger centres, which under the plans will be known as Children’s Centre Plus, will have to work more closely with GPs, schools, voluntary services and health visitors so families get the support they need.

The authority hopes the reduction in building and management costs will save around £1.5 million over the next financial year – on top of the £1.4m it has to save by the end of this year.

Cabinet member for specialist children’s services, Cllr Jenny Whittle, said: “We believe that the ones that should remain open are those in communities with high levels of need, but we want to make sure that all parents can access a children’s centre within a 15-minute drive of their home.”

The centres with the lowest attendance are being targeted.

MP Gordon Henderson has written to KCC opposing plans to close Woodgrove.

He also objects to the proposal for a reduction in hours at Beaches and Lilypad children’s centres on Sheppey.

He wrote: “The suggestion that Woodgrove and Beaches do not serve areas in which children and families need early support services is bizarre.

“In fact, both areas contain many families who require support, not least because their children have special needs.

“Surely, the answer is not to close Woodgrove, but to enhance the range of services available at the centre, thereby ensuring that parents do not have to visit a different centre?”

KCC has launched a 12-week consultation on the plans. To have your say, visit www.kent.gov.uk/childrenscentres