Glowing report for Templenewsam and Colton Children’s Centre

Children and families from the Temple Newsam and Colton areas can expect an outstanding service at their local children’s centre according to government inspectors Ofsted.

The Templenewsam and Colton Children’s Centre has been judged as ‘outstanding’ in every aspect of its first inspection by Ofsted.

The centre, which was visited by inspectors last month, was assessed on their access to services, the quality of their practice and service and the effectiveness of leadership, governance and management. It was deemed to be outstanding in every category.

The inspectors described the centre as having ‘an outstanding impact on families’ lives. From helping to improve children’s readiness for school to supporting those experiencing domestic violence, staff are…always there’.

The report highlights that all local children under five years old are registered with the centre thanks to ‘exceptionally well-planned, thoughtfully targeted and persistent outreach work… combined with extremely close working with other professionals’. The integration of children's centres with health visitors into local Early Start teams means that services work more effectively with families at the time they need it. Inspectors also commented that staff have ‘pin-point’ knowledge of all the families identified as most in need of support through sharing information together.

The leadership of the centre was another area highlighted for praise with the report commenting “Outstanding leadership, governance and management at every level underpin the high effecting work of this centre. Exceptionally sophisticated and reflective analysis of the needs of the area and it’s families means that services are constantly under review, adapted and improved.”

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member responsible for children and families said:

“This is an exceptional report and very well deserved. The team at Templenewsam and Colton really do put the children and families in their community at the heart of everything they do. This report demonstrates how impressed the inspectors were of this centre – the managers and team should be really proud of what they have achieved.

“Children’s centres are a vital cog in the wheel to help us achieve our ambition to be the best city to grow up in. They can help to make sure that children get the best early start and are ready for learning as soon as they go to school. They also offer support to ensure that families are not isolated within their communities.”

The quality of the services provided at Templenewsam and Colton were also praised, with the range of services on offer being described as having ‘an impressive impact on improving children’s well-being and families’ lives. There are many examples of it improving life chances and reducing inequalities’.

In order to help ensure children in the area are ready for school, the centre organised a ‘ready for reception’ session which provided parents with the information advice and support to help them ensure their child arrives at school with the relevant skills. The report describes both parents and professionals as being ‘thrilled’ by how these sessions had helped to breakdown potential barriers to learning.

The range of activities and services on offer at the children’s centre include:

• Stay and play sessions
• Family learning courses such as first aid courses, Bookstart and infant massage
• Little Voices (with Opera North)
• Story Time (with Leeds Libraries)
• Tiny Dancers and Musical Minis Ready for School sessions
• 1:1 support at home with issues such a behaviour management, toileting and child development

Children’s Centre Manager Sara Jackson said:

“We are so thrilled to have been recognised by Ofsted for the work that we do. The team are very committed to making a difference to the lives of children and families so we are proud of the recent inspection outcome.

“Being members of the Templenewsam Learning Partnership Trust has really enabled us to work as a much wider partnership to make a difference. I would encourage any other groups or service providers in the local area to consider joining the partnership if you want to help us make a difference to the lives of children and young people in the local area.”