Ofsted gives outstanding grade to community facility to support young

The King’s Park Children’s Centre in Melksham was rated “outstanding” in all areas, while the Bradford on Avon Community Children’s Centre – in its first Ofsted inspection – got recognition for the way it promotes children’s physical, mental and emotional health.

Inspectors praised King’s Park’s range of activities and support offered by the centre, as well as the way it has attracted local families.

Centre leader Trixie Lewis said: “Working at the centre has given us all a great sense of satisfaction and the chance to make a real difference to the children and families that attend.”

The report highlights the work in making a significant difference to the lives of families and notes how parents were unanimous in their praise for its staff.

The centre offers services including parent and toddler groups, baby massage, parenting programmes, healthy cooking sessions, adult education, advice on finances and outreach support.

It opened in 2004 and has helped to reduce the educational gap between the lowest-achieving 20 per cent of children and the highest, by as much as 12 per cent, before they reach school age.

The Bradford on Avon centre, in Frome Road, was given a “good” overall rating, but was said to be “outstanding” in the “exceptional” quality of care, guidance and support it offered families.

The report also highlighted the outstanding care staff took to ensure the health and safety of its families and also praised its efforts to encourage parents to contribute to the centre’s governance.

Centre leader Kerry Mor-gan said: “Children and families are at the heart of everything we do at the centre.”

Charles Ellis, deputy chief executive of 4Children, the charity that runs the centre, said: “This inspection result is an excellent testament to the tireless work of all our staff in Bradford on Avon. ”

The centre opened in 2006 and offers services such as parenting classes, ante-natal classes, stay and plays and baby health clinics.