The assessments show an improvement on last year with twice the number of authorities receiving the highest rating, including Barnet and North Tyneside. Birmingham and Doncaster are among the eight per cent of councils to be performing poorly.
The outcomes of six councils' assessments are yet to be published as Ofsted is due to undertake further inspections.
Ofsted chief inspector, Christine Gilbert, said: "It is very pleasing to see the increase in the number of local authorities that are providing excellent services overall. In these very best authorities children and young people generally receive a consistently high level of support from the time they start in nurseries or childcare, through school and as they enter further education, training or employment. It is also the case that these authorities are well organised to keep children safe from harm — in particular, those children who are most at risk.
"The minority of councils that are performing poorly were put in this category primarily because they are not doing enough to keep children safe. These authorities know where improvements are needed and have plans in place to improve."
In addition, 77 councils have been assessed as performing well, with 37 councils rated as providing adequate services.
Judgements are drawn on inspections of childcare, schools, child protection services and safeguarding, children’s social care and provision in the learning and skills sector.
Authorities performing excellently
Barnet, Bath and North East Somerset, Buckinghamshire, City of London, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hampshire, Havering, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston Upon Thames, Lewisham, Lincolnshire, North Somerset, North Tyneside, Oldham, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Trafford, Wandsworth and York.
Authorities performing poorly
Birmingham, Calderdale, Doncaster, Essex, Kent, Leeds, Nottinghamshire, Peterborough, Salford, Sandwell, Torbay and Worcestershire.
