Full inspections on way for Sure Start

Kevin Wood, assistant director at the children's centre and extended schools division in the DCSF, revealed the changes at a 4Children conference last week.

He told the conference that forthcoming government legislation to make children's centres a statutory service will also change the inspection system. The inspection changes will see the various services offered by children's centres inspected as a whole rather than individually.

The government's consultation on its planned children's centre legislation included proposals for Ofsted to carry out inspections. It did not make clear how these would be carried out.

Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said: "News of a review of the inspection process for Sure Start children's centres is very encouraging and will be important to deliver the highest quality provision for children and families."