The Lavender Children’s Centre based in Tamworth Recreation Ground houses a nursery, early support project and community café.

This project has been nominated in two categories – the Small Building Project Award and the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award. Lavender Children’s Centre was short-listed as one of the six finalists for both categories from a long list of over 150 projects.

The building was developed through the Lavender Sure Start Partnership with external funding provided by Sure Start, New Opportunities Fund, Health Authority, London Development Agency, Children’s Centres and the London Borough of Merton.

Lavender Children’s Centre received designation as a Children’s Centre in September 2005. It is based at two sites in the Mitcham area in the London Borough of Merton, bringing together and building upon a Sure Start local programme with a NNI nursery:

· The Lavender Pavilion – is a refurbished pavilion housing a small nursery, multi-purpose function rooms and office accommodation.
The Tamworth Recreation Ground (or London Road) site – is a newly constructed purpose built 94 place nursery, multi-purpose meeting space and café, located in a park with adjacent paddling pool and children’s playground.

CABE Director of Campaigns and Education, Matt Bell, representing the award sponsors has invited local Member of Parliament, Siobain McDonagh, to receive the award on behalf of Merton Council.

Councillor David Simpson, Cabinet Member for Partnerships and Community Safety said:
“It is great having a modern building for us to work alongside our partners to offer new innovative services that provide children with the best start in life.”

Michelle Rahman, Head of Lavender Children’s Centre said:
“The plain and simple design of the interior enables children to get to know the building without confusing them in a maze of corridors and entrances.”