Ofsted inspectors have given New North Children’s Centre in Canonbury a ‘good’ rating in its first inspection report.
The children’s centre, which opened last year, also has ‘outstanding’ features in leadership, partnership with parents and children's learning and development.
Inspectors judged that the centre is ‘exceptionally well resourced and organised’ and is managed by ‘very well qualified and experienced staff.’ These factors contribute to children’s good development at the centre. They are encouraged to ‘follow their natural interests’ and to ‘take risks and solve problems’ in a safe and caring environment.
Ofsted were impressed by the ‘highly effective’ systems developed by staff to help children from all backgrounds at the centre develop their language skills and inspectors also noted that the children show ‘a great interest in books and the written language.’
Islington Council’s Executive Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Paula Belford said: “Congratulations to New North Children’s Centre. Like the other 15 children’s centres in Islington, New North provides a range of important services to local families that extends beyond childcare. It’s the excellent care and support they offer that is helping the council to ensure that young children in the borough are getting the best start in life.”
A good relationship exists between staff and children at New North, where ‘children show very positive attitudes to each other and to adults.’ The views of parents are sought and taken into account, leading to the centre having an ‘Outstanding partnership with parents and carers.’
Children at the children’s centre have an understanding of how to live a healthy lifestyle and are encouraged to play and learn in a variety of different environments both indoors and out. A combination of group and individual work with the children means they ‘show high degrees of confidence and independence.’
Mary McStay, headteacher of the New North Community School and Children’s Centre said:
“we are very proud of the fantastic Ofsted judgement, especially as this part of our school has only been open for a year. Ana Sevilla, the Children’s Centre Manager and the team have worked incredibly hard to ensure it provides the very highest standards of care and education for young children, and this is reflected in the inspector’s findings.”
ENDS.
Page Last Updated: 12 June 2009