13/04/2012 - Permalink

Children’s centre rated good

Related topics: Community

Shropshire Council’s Sure Start children’s centre for the Bishop’s Castle area has been judged as “good” by Government inspectors.  

In a report published this week, Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, said that the Bishop’s Castle area children’s centre “is a good well run centre that meets the needs of its community, with 12 service delivery points and four information points for users within its reach area”. 

The centre, which has a main base at Bishop’s Castle Primary School, is one of 18 children’s centres in Shropshire which offer a variety of services for families with children under five years old. 

Inspectors commended the centre for high-quality, effective and ambitious team working, and for excellent partnership working with other services.  The care, guidance and support offered was similarly judged as outstanding. 

Ofsted highlighted to people using the centre: “Your centre’s manager and her staff have a good understanding of your needs, listen to what you ask of them, and put on the activities you want.  We also agree with you when you say the centre manager and staff work well together as a team, and help you to keep your children and families safe and healthy.” 

The Ofsted report summary for people using the centre explains that it has asked for two things to be looked at to improve further:

  • to increase the proportion of families using the centre’s services in the north of the extended area
  • to support the advisory board members in their role by offering them further training

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:

“Since 2010 five children’s centres in Shropshire have been inspected, with each receiving a good or outstanding rating. 

“Ofsted has again applauded the effective work of children’s centre staff.  This is well-deserved praise, and I am delighted that this commitment has been recognised. 

“The report highlights how the children’s centre is improving opportunities for families with children under five years old.  Children’s centres play an important role in preparing children for school, helping parents in their role and improving health and well-being. 

“I would encourage anyone interested to find out more about what children’s centres can offer.” 

Anne McKinnon, Bishop’s Castle area children’s centre manager, said:

“This report is a credit to everyone involved with the centre.  We are really pleased to see Ofsted’s comments, particularly that ‘staff invest a great deal of quality time and effort into ensuring the social, emotional and physical health of the children and families they serve’.” 

The centre was inspected on 15 and 16 March 2012. 

For more information on Bishop’s Castle children’s centre and surrounding areas, contact manager Anne McKinnon on 01694 723465

For further details about children’s centre services go to shropshire.gov.uk/childrenscentres.nsf 

Further information

Shropshire Council’s Sure Start children’s centres provide a range of services for families with children under five years old including: 

  • Information and advice to parents and carers
  • Parental outreach services
  • Family drop-in sessions
  • Child and family health
  • Links with Jobcentre Plus
  • Early learning and childcare
  • Childminding
  • Family support
  • Support for children and parents with additional needs.