Ofsted ratings of children's centre groups improve

Latest Ofsted data shows that between 1 April and 31 August 2015, 56 per cent of children’s centre groups received one of the top two ratings, an increase of four percentage points compared to the previous three months.

The proportion of children's centres groups that were rated "inadequate" by Ofsted also fell from nine per cent in the first three months of the year to six per cent in the five months after – between April and August 2015, six children’s centre groups were rated inadequate.

Children's centre groups have more integrated services and tend to share leadership and management.

The data also shows the proportion of single children’s centres judged good or outstanding has remained the same over the course of the year. As of 31 August, 67 per cent were rated in the top two judgment categories.

The most recent research revealed that between 2011 and 2013, there was a 38 per cent decrease in the number of single children’s centres and a 60 per cent increase in children’s centre groups.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, welcomed the findings as reflecting an improving picture in performance of children's centres groups. But he warned that half of group centres remained rated less than good.

“This is an issue that must be addressed as a matter of urgency if we are to ensure that children and families, and especially those most in need, continue to have access to high-quality local support services,” he said.

“It’s now four months since the government announced plans to consult on the future of children’s centres, but we remain none the wiser on how it plans to tackle the significant challenges facing these services.”