Nursery World - PVI centres' low marks

Concerns have been raised over the standards of care and education in some voluntary and community sector-run children's centres after the first round of pilot Ofsted inspections produced judgements ranging from 'good' to 'inadequate'. Ofsted has delayed publication of new guidance which was due last month until it completes 30 more pilots by the end of September.

Ofsted has delayed publication of new guidance which was due last month until it completes 30 more pilots by the end of September.

The first round of integrated inspections, which took place between June 2005 and April 2006, involved seven children's centres run by community and voluntary providers (see table). They were inspected to the Early Years Inspection Framework (see box) and will inform the new inspection framework for children's centres nationally.

Four settings were judged 'good' for the quality and standards of care and education. The remaining three ranged from 'satisfactory' to 'inadequate'.

Saffron Community Nursery in Linwood, Leicester, was found to be 'inadequate' in both care and education. The registered provider, children's charity Barnardo's, has been issued with a notice of action to improve.

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