• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

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Stockton Borough Childcare settings ranked top of the class

logo-landscapeSTOCKTON-ON-TEES Borough Council has increased the number of ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ childcare settings in its area by 26 per cent in three years.

The latest Ofsted figures rank Stockton-on-Tees as first in the North East for childcare settings with 96 per cent of all nurseries, pre-schools and out of school clubs in the Borough rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.

More than 85 per cent of all childminders in the area have also been awarded ‘good’ or better, rising by 25 per cent since 2012.

At the heart of the Council’s commitment to ensuring this steady rise in the quality of childcare is ‘A Journey to Outstanding’. Alongside training and development opportunities this document offers childminders support and guidance to improve the quality of care and education they provide.

By using the document, childcare settings are able to demonstrate their commitment to excellence by going above and beyond the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which sets standards for the learning, development and care of young children.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ann McCoy, said: “Every single child in Stockton Borough is important to us so we want all of our children to have access to the best possible care.

“Our child care providers strive to provide the very best for children in the Borough and these latest figures only further support their continued commitment and understanding of being ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. The ‘A Journey to Outstanding’ document has helped to advance and maintain high standards of care, learning and development, which also means that children are getting a better start in life.”

To find out more about the Council’s ‘A Journey to Outstanding’ and the support available to childminders and childcare providers, contact the Council to speak to the Early Years Manager on 01642 527240.

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