Norden Sure Start Centre rated ‘good’

Celebration: Michelle Clayton, Senior Early Years Worker, Emma Davies, Early Years Worker with children Haris Azhar and Adam Hussain

Parents, children and staff at Norden Sure Start Children’s Centre are celebrating their Ofsted report this week, as inspectors graded the centre as ‘good’ with many aspects of the centres work deemed as ‘outstanding.'

Inspectors visited the centre in February and awarded the overall good grade with outstanding engagement with parents and carers, effective partnership work and excellent use of resources. The extent to which children are enabled to enjoy and achieve through centre activities was also deemed as outstanding.

Inspectors were very impressed with the commitment of the staff; reporting the team to be caring, genuine and very supportive to the children throughout the sessions.

The inspectors noted: “Partnerships with parents and other professionals are exemplary.”

“Children are making excellent progress with their learning and development as the deployment of resources is highly effective.”

“Staff are fully committed to quality care, which actively promotes the children’s knowledge and understanding of safety and healthy lifestyles. This develops their skills for the future, which enables them to make a positive contribution.”

Parent, Angie Collinge, said: “I am delighted to read Norden Children’s Centre’s Ofsted report. It’s great to know that the hard work and dedication of the staff is recognised and appreciated.

“I use the centre daily and feel more at home than anywhere else. The children are happy to attend sessions.

“The crèche and activities are well varied to ensure they never get bored. The staff get to know all the families so well and it’s like one big happy family.”

Liz Nield Centre Leader said: “We are all absolutely delighted with the inspector’s comments and I am extremely proud of all the staff, partners and parents. Their dedication and commitment to Norden Children’s Centre has been reflected in the very positive Ofsted report.

“We want to share the excellent news and celebrate with all the families to thank them for making our centre the place it is.”

Councillor Surinder Biant, Cabinet member for Children’s School and Families added his congratulations saying: “Rochdale Children’s Centres have once again proved their exceptionally good childcare provision and quality services for the whole family in this excellent Ofsted report.

“I am particularly impressed to see the evidence of good links with partner organisations to ensure the very best service for Norden families.

“Congratulations to all the staff at Norden Children’s Centre.”