NCT Watch

Ofsted have published a report examining the impact of Sure Start children’s centres and extended schools on children and young people from birth to 19 and their families.  Schools reported positive effects in children joining them from children’s centres and individuals could be seen to have benefited from provision but it appears that uncertainties about long-term funding affected planning for, and the sustainability of, many children’s centres.

Only a small minority of schools and children’s centres were gathering evidence to evaluate outcomes and local authorities are not supporting them sufficiently in this.

In addition, the report states that both types of provider need to be more active in reaching out to groups, including fathers and some minority ethnic groups, who are less likely to access the services available. A fully copy of the report is available to download from http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/070021.