From last month the children's centres added one late evening and Saturdays to the usual opening hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
The decision to extend the opening follows feedback from parents at an awareness raising event held at the city's shopping malls, which found that many working parents were unable to access the services available at Sunderland's 17 children's centres.
Councillor Pat Smith, cabinet member for children's services at Sunderland City Council, said, 'The public consultation highlighted the need for longer openings, underlining just how much of an effect the services that the centres offer are having on their communities.'
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