Children's centre's lessons in success
A CHILDREN'S centre has been judged as 'outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors for a second time.
The Crescent Children's Centre in Meir, run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, is the only one in the city to be given the accolade.
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MAKING AN IMPACT: Tracey Jackson OBE with five-year-old Lottie Dyson, from Meir. Picture: Shaun Smith
It means that The Crescent site is now only the second in the entire country to be home to a primary school, children's centre and pre-school nursery that are all 'outstanding' after separate inspections.
Ofsted officials spoke to staff, parents, carers, volunteers, local schools, members of the centre's advisory board and partners in November.
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They assessed how the centre helped parents, prospective parents and young children to access services, and made sure they benefited from the services offered.
The Crescent was judged 'outstanding' in 17 areas, and 'good' in one. In 2009, The Crescent was the first in the city to receive an 'outstanding'.
Tracy Jackson OBE, locality manager for children's centres in the south of the city, including The Crescent, said: "Children's centres were established to bridge the attainment gap for the most disadvantaged children.
"Ofsted assesses the leadership and management of a centre and make sure it is having an impact and providing the right level of support for families.
"This outstanding result, and the passion and knowledge our parents showed when talking to inspectors, shows we are making a difference and giving the children of Meir a better start in life."
Councillor Debra Gratton, cabinet member for children's services, added: "This is one of the most glowing Ofsted inspections I have ever read and it is a testament to the hard work of the centre, its staff, parents and volunteers that they have achieved such a fabulous report."
The detailed 10-page Ofsted report praised the centre's strong leadership and management, its success in engaging parents in the Meir area, and described the effect its services have on families as 'excellent' and 'outstanding'.
The report said parents and carers had high levels of understanding regarding their child's development.
Last year, staff at The Crescent were named the UK Children's Centre Team of the Year by national charity Together for Children.
Parent Katrina Danyiova said: "The Crescent Children's Centre has helped me with my language and cared for my children while I have been doing the English for speakers of other languages course. The centre has also helped my daughter by supporting her special needs."
Fellow parent Claire Lawrence added: "The centre has helped my three-year-old son with his speech and language transition into nursery school. Community development work has helped me with my confidence through volunteering."
Comments
by Domino
Saturday, December 08 2012, 10:38AM
“Senseisteve you're right, they are not well used and way too many staff - staff sometimes out number visitors- that can't be right. I've tried these centres, they are very patronising.
There are other vulnerable groups in the city that this council fails to recognise - the elderly, the disabled, groups that become isolated without facilities that the council should be providing - libraries, day centres. These kind of services are the building blocks for society, for communities - we spend too much on dysfunctional groups, pandering to people's laziness - this authority should build on what government mandates as statutory services such as libraries and early years nursery provision, stop cutting at services that empower people to help themselves”
by mole10
Monday, December 05 2011, 12:15PM
“It was only the other day that this Labour Council wanted them shut.
They were caught out by an angry mob of Parents.
They now want to shut a care home or two, again.
This Labour Council now splashes childrens centres all over its City news propaganda sheet.
This Council is thick but thinks we are thicker.”
by senseisteve
Sunday, December 04 2011, 9:09PM
“I'm not questioning the excellent work of the centre ..... but .... it's a bit of coincidence that the good news stories about adoption, teenage pregnancy and various other services and facilities are being 'aired' during the consultation period over their very future ...
A vain attempt at 'persuading' our politicians and public that these are vital - successful - and needed ?
I would however question why these centres were largely built as separate facilities from local nurseries - primary schools - even libraries and health facilities ... and consequently very expensive to run - and in many cases - not well used.”
by truestokie
Saturday, December 03 2011, 11:05AM
“For Gods sake don't let Pervez and his Labour cronies know or they will close it.”