The proposal was debated at a special internal scrutiny committee meeting last week, after it was 'called in' by Labour councillors, who are concerned that the move discriminates against poorer families and conflicts with the ethos of children's centres.
The decision was taken last November by the cabinet member for children and young people, Conservative Robert Caserta, to start making nominal charges for activities, such as dance sessions, which are not part of the 'core offer'.
The council is proposing charging £1.50 per family for these sessions. Stay-and-play sessions and messy play would be charged at a rate of £1 per family.
One-off promotional days, Christmas parties and summer fun events would cost £2 per child.
For those families known to the children's centre outreach workers as families who would find it difficult to pay the £1 charge, a voucher would be given to allow the family to attend the session.
Core services, such as child and family health services, midwifery, family support, information and advice, will not be charged for.
The approach aims to target children's centre resources on the children and families in greatest need, while maintaining a level of universal access to centres services.
The council admits there is a risk that some families will stop attending universal activities but says that the risk is mitigated by giving children's centre co-ordinators the right to waive charges for 'non-core offer' activities for 'priority families'.
The council will pilot the scheme over the next few months, followed by a consultation with centre staff and users. As a result of the scrutiny meeting, Mr Caserta has been asked to report back to the next scrutiny with a more detailed report, including the criteria for waiving charges, on 25 January.