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.
Similarly, while more than a third of children's centres were satisfactory in using evaluation to shape and improve services, less than half were good and 13 per cent were outstanding, with three per cent inadequate.
Commenting on the figures, 4Children chief executive Anne Longfield said children's centres need urgently to improve their evaluation of work, particularly given the likely emergence of payment-by-results schemes.
