YMCA Bournemouth has taken over the management of two local Sure Start children's centres.

The charity will manage Bournemouth's Queens Park and Townsend centres, which wer both previously ran by Barnardo's, on behalf of the new BCP Council.

The Bournemouth YMCA has been running the Pokesdown and Southbourne Sure Start Children's Centre for 12 years, and also runs Teddy's Pre-School, Pokesdown, and the Dorset-wide Child Contact Centre for families experiencing problems.

YMCA Bournemouth head of family and relationship services, Jackie Huggett, said: "We were delighted to be selected to manage the Queen’s Park and Townsend Children’s Centres and would like to take this opportunity to thank Barnardo’s, existing staff and local families for their past support of these vital community services.

"The core purpose of children’s centres is to work in partnership in order to improve outcomes for young children and their families.

"The focus on providing support and guidance enables families to lead fulfilling lives. This has been key to our success at Pokesdown & Southbourne Children’s Centre and we look forward to applying the same approach to the others."

The new management says it is committed to making the transition as "seamless as possible" and very few staff changes are expected, with the existing team already having transferred to YMCA Bournemouth and taken part in a full induction programme.

One of the affected members of staff, who has worked at the Queen's Park centre for seven years, said: "Change is always a bit unnerving, but YMCA Bournemouth have been genuinely warm and welcoming.

"It is great to be working for an organisation with such a good reputation and positive attitude, who are keen to develop and improve the services we provide.”

Initial timetables are now in place but the charity plans to expand and energise the range of sessions available at both centres over the coming months.

Local families will be able to keep up-to-date by visiting the centre Facebook pages at @QueensParkChildrensCentre and @TownsendChildren’sCentre

If families have any questions they are being urged to email Jackie.Huggett@ymcabournemouth.org.uk who will be able to address any concerns.