In just the first two months of 2007, Islington has bagged a hat trick of positive Ofsted reports. The three reports give the official thumbs up for education across the board, as they cover a primary school, a secondary school and, most recently, a nursery.<br><br>Ofsted describe Margaret McMillan Nursery School as "a good school and children receive a good start to their education". The report goes on to say "the curriculum is good with some outstanding features" and "children enjoy learning because teachers encourage them to make their own choices". Ofsted also praised the head teacher's "excellent" leadership, and said "children's behaviour is outstanding"<br><br>The nursery currently provides both full and part-time childcare places for 104 children aged 0-5. For the last three years, there has been extensive building work on site to transform the nursery into one of Islington's 16 new Children's Centres. The development of the site should be completed by the end of July 2007. <br><br>Cllr Ursula Woolley, Islington Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People, said: "This is the third great Ofsted report on education in Islington so far this year -- so well done to everyone at Margaret McMillan. There are exciting times ahead now as the nursery becomes a Children's Centre and is able to develop the full range of family support, health, outreach and advice services." <br><br>Children's Centres are 'one stop shops' offering childcare and early education, outreach, family support and health services for children under fives and their families. They are replacing the previous Sure Start programmes, which in Islington means moving from six centres to 16. Ten Children's Centres are fully operational and by March 2008 all 16 will be open. The network of Children's Centres is evenly spread across the borough, so everyone in Islington will have a centre in walking distance.<br><br>Ofsted reports for Islington can be viewed at www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports<br><br>Ends<br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009