This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
East Cowes Children’s Centre has been praised by Ofsted following an inspection which judged it as ‘outstanding’ overall.
Inspectors visited the centre, which the Isle of Wight Council commissioned The Children’s Society to run in 2011, in October this year and spoke to children, parents, managers, staff and partner agencies who work closely with the centre.
The centre’s excellent grasp of local need was highlighted in the report. Inspectors found the quality of care, guidance and support offered to all who use the centre, especially those most in need, to be outstanding.
Well done everyone
Sue Gleaves, centre manager at East Cowes Children’s Centre, said: “I am so proud of our families for what they have achieved and thank them for their support. The centre would not have been judged outstanding without them and the commitment of the staff and professionals we work alongside. As a Children’s Society-run children’s centre, we work with our families to put children’s wellbeing at the heart of everything we do to make them feel valued and happy. Well done everyone!”
Parents make exceptional contribution
Among the many strengths highlighted in Ofsted’s report was the way parents are fully involved in all aspects of centre life. Parents make an exceptional contribution to services and governance through the successful volunteer programme and forum called ‘Families Voice’.
The views of families are sought frequently and the most recent survey found the overwhelming majority of parents to be satisfied with the centre.
Local parent Vicky Caller, an East Cowes Children’s Centre user, said: “I don’t really know how to put it into words how much East Cowes Children’s Centre has helped me. They are really supportive and help families when they need it.”
Helping adults too
Development of services for adults is key. The centre supports people to achieve their full potential by providing training opportunities to meet individual needs.
Many parents have gone on to find jobs after completing courses at the centre. The report states, ‘Many adults have achieved superb results. Basic literacy or numeracy courses have led to other qualifications and a few are now on university degree courses as a result of their engagement with the centre’.
“Centre is clearly making a real difference”
Councillor Dawn Cousins, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “I am delighted that yet another of our children’s centres has been graded as outstanding by Ofsted. The centre is clearly making a real difference to families in the East Cowes area, I would like to congratulate and thank staff at the centre for delivering such excellent services for local families.”
Inspectors found that the Isle of Wight Council and The Children’s Society provide ‘superb levels of challenge and support’. The centre is successfully working with families that are considered hard to reach or don’t normally use children’s centre services. The proportion of teenage parents using services at the centre has doubled in the last year and programmes for fathers are well used.
Ofsted praised the centre’s staff, noting in the report that, ‘Leaders are wholly dedicated to delivering the best possible services’ and ‘the kindness of staff underpins the resolute aim of helping each family improve as much as they can, so adults and children can achieve greatly improved outcomes’.
Image: Nanny Snowflake under CC BY 2.0
