Children at Cathnor Park jumping for joy
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
11/09/2008
Youngsters who attend Cathnor Park Children's Centre in Shepherds Bush are jumping for joy after it was officially rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Officials from Ofsted conducted a wide-ranging inspection of the centre, on Melina Road, in July and were highly impressed with what they saw.
Children’s centres are places where children under the age of five and their families can access early education and childcare through link childcare providers, family healthcare and advice, support for parents including drop in sessions, outreach services and a link through to training and employment.
Areas inspected at Cathnor Park included learning and development, leadership and management, partnership working, support for vulnerable families and children with disabilities and the capacity to improve through strategic development. All of these areas were judged to be outstanding at the centre which provides services for over 1,500 children and families.
Cllr Antony Lillis, cabinet member for community and children’s services, said: “This is excellent news and I am thrilled for everyone associated with the centre. Cathnor Park Children’s Centre really is a wonderful place. It provides children with the best possible start in life and enables parents to unlock their potential. Centres like this are a vital component as we strive to create a borough of opportunity. Good, affordable and accessible childcare allows parents to take up work, education or training which will have a positive effect on families and the community as a whole.”
The centre was one of three across the country which were chosen at random to pilot the inspection regime which will eventually be rolled out to all children's centres.
Young people in the borough received more good news recently, when the council granted planning permission for one of the seven newly designated children’s centres in the borough.
Work on the new building at Flora Gardens Primary School, Dalling Road, will begin imminently and, once complete, will offer a wide range of services including midwifery and crèche sessions and speech and language therapy. There will also be a ‘drop in’ centre for parents who have any enquiries or need support.
Children’s Centres are at the heart of the Government’s strategy to deliver better outcomes for children and families. They are also a vital part of the Government’s 10 year childcare strategy to enable all families with children to have access to an affordable, flexible, high quality childcare place for their child. Local authorities have been given strategic responsibility for the delivery of children’s centres.
H&F is home to 12 fully ‘designated’ children’s centres, of which Cathnor Park is one. Designation is given to a centre when the Government believes it meets a number of criteria. These include establishing links with Jobcentre Plus, qualified teacher input , putting plans in place to provide health and outreach services for families in need within an agreed geographical area and offering support to childminders.
