It is high praise from the inspectors for the quality of early years education, childcare and family support services delivered in an area which ranks in the top 5 per cent most disadvantaged in the country.
Head of centre Gerri Ross says the Old Moat had a head start, as it was dubbed a 'children's centre' in 1989 when it opened as a local authority day nursery. 'Having that childcare on site over a number of years has meant that the community already has that relationship with the centre, and obviously our staff - and we have a low turnover - know the community very well. The children who came here when it first opened as a nursery are now bringing their own children,' she says.
Apart from the 30-place day nursery, there is an independent playgroup whose staff are considered to be part of the centre's team and are able to access training and support from the centre teacher.
Three health visitors, who were previously based at a health centre three miles away, are now co-located at the children's centre. They provide drop-in sessions, baby massage and advice on weaning as well as one-to-one guidance for parents.
Gerri Ross, who was among the first cohort of 40 to graduate from the NPQICL leadership qualification, says, 'Parents can pop their heads round the door and see the health visitor and not have to make a special appointment.'
The health visitors share an office with members of the family support team, which is engaged in outreach work that enables an holistic array of services for children and families to be fully integrated.
Steve Marsden, the ward co-ordination support officer, is also based within the family support team and acts as a 'conduit', ensuring that members of the local community are informed about services and how to access them.
Gerri Ross describes Steve Marsden as an invaluable 'information bank' for the centre. She explains, 'While we think in terms of health, education and family support, he joins up other council services which are so important to families, such as leisure, housing, the parks and safety on the streets.'
Steve Marsden says his job is to 'look at the way services are being delivered and consult the local community to gain a full picture of the priorities of people living there. I can then go back to those services and ask them what we can do collectively, using a multi-agency approach, to address some of these issues.
'It is about opting people into the democratic process, trying to make a difference at local level and helping the community to build and sustain itself. My role in relation to the centre is to help it get involved in wider projects.'
