Data Check: Ofsted inspection of children's centres

8 July 2011 1 min read Early Years Inspections

Ofsted began inspecting children's centres in May 2010. Since then, 498 centres have been inspected. Publishing its first annual report of children's centre evaluations, the watchdog found that 14 per cent achieved an outstanding rating for their overall effectiveness.

A further 59 per cent were good while a quarter were satisfactory and two per cent (four centres) were performing inadequately.

The inspectorate's annual report of children's centres also identified particular areas of strength and weakness in practice. Children's centres performed well in ensuring children are safe and protected, with a quarter deemed outstanding in this area, 63 per cent good, 11 per cent satisfactory and just one per cent inadequate.

But the figures pointed to a need to improve the way centres help children develop skills for the future and help parents achieve economic stability through initiatives such as further training. Against this measure, 11 per cent of centres were outstanding, 55 per cent good, 33 per cent satisfactory and one per cent inadequate.

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