Little Harwood Children’s Centre celebrates going from good to outstanding!

Staff at Little Harwood Children’s Centre have been praised for their ‘Outstanding’ work by Ofsted.

The centre has achieved the highest status with an inspection report that highlights all five areas as outstanding that were previously rated as good.

The glowing report states just how happy and excited children are when attending the centre and makes reference to how the curriculum reflects how well the staff know the children. That it sensitively includes what the children have in common as well as celebrates diversity.

The report not only praises the relationship staff have with children but also with parents, saying:

Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents highly recommend the nursery and find all staff very approachable. Discussions based on progress, including possible concerns, are handled sensitively. Staff aim to eliminate any barriers faced by parents and carers. Families attend regular ‘stay and play’ sessions and have access to shared resources. For example, the on-site library, sensory room, story sacks, toilet training packs, oral health items. Children all benefit greatly from such a united approach.

As well as the overall effectiveness being regarded as ‘Outstanding’. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management are also all rated as ‘Outstanding’.

Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Denise Park, said:

We are extremely proud and excited for the staff at Little Harwood Children’s Centre. The report highlights just how hard our dedicated staff work to ensure that children in the borough are given the absolute best start to their development. We are really focussing on our Children’s Services to ensure that this can be replicated across all our services which is just another reason why the report is so pleasing and thoroughly deserved.

Little Harwood Children’s Centre is one of the larger centres that is run by Blackburn with Darwen Council, along with Audley and Queen’s Park Children’s centre, which also received Outstanding in 2019.

Cllr Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children’s, Young People and Education, said:

Congratulations to our staff at Little Harwood. The report is a reflection of just how special the bonds are between our staff and children. It shows how staff model expectations, with children receiving lots of praise and emotional support. As well as raising self-esteem in these crucial early years. It’s an absolute delight to read and I just want to say another huge well done to all our wonderful staff.

The report also noted that the children’s behaviour is exemplary with staff being positive role models, where respect for each other is evident. This is then echoed by the children who politely remind each other of what is expected of them.

There is also a strong sense of belonging with both staff and children. The Early Years provision is a great start for children before they attend school.

To see inside the centre and hear more about their work watch the video below:

You can also read the full Ofsted Inspection Report here: Ofsted | Little Harwood Children’s Centre