Corby children's centre challenges 'inadequate' Ofsted rating

The early years provision at Pen Green Centre has gone from "outstanding" in its last inspection to "inadequate" now

A children's centre has made a formal complaint after an Ofsted inspection graded its early years provision as "inadequate".

This is the first time that the Pen Green Centre in Corby, Northamptonshire, has received any grade below "outstanding".

The chair of governors said grade was a "huge shock" and "devastating for the wonderful staff".

Ofsted, the education watchdog, declined to comment.

The centre, in Pen Green Lane, has been running for nearly 40 years and provides education and childcare but also training for professionals and contributes to research.

It has been graded as "outstanding" on every previous inspection, but the inspectors who visited for this latest report rated it inadequate in all four areas.

Among their observations were:

• Children walk and run with objects in their mouths, such as food and a pen

• Staff ask children if they are cross rather than trying to help children understand and name their feelings

• Children are asked what food is on a plate, however, before they have time to respond, staff tell them the answer

• Staff do not offer explanations or clear guidance, resulting in some children being upset and confused

Adam Cooper, chair of governors, said the grading was being "strongly challenged" and a formal complaint had been made

The chair of governors, Adam Cooper, said: "This has been a huge shock and devastating for the wonderful staff.

"The conduct of the inspectors, their lack of understanding of early years, and unwillingness to understand the context of our children and the relationship with family workers, has been both frustrating and stressful for everyone at the centre.

"This is not the Ofsted we would wish for or expect."

Parents and staff campaigned against funding cuts at Pen Green Centre last year

He added that the staff and governors had "strongly challenged" the judgment and made a formal complaint to Ofsted.

North Northamptonshire Council leader Jason Smithers said: "Child safety is vitally important, and the issues identified by the Ofsted report must be fully resolved.

"We are committed to working with the Pen Green Centre to help ensure the improvements needed are both implemented and sustained."

The centre suffered a significant funding cut earlier this year, despite protests from staff and parents.

Ofsted's own practices came under scrutiny recently with the death of a headteacher following a grading of "inadequate".

The coroner ruled that Ruth Perry's death was "suicide, contributed to by an Ofsted inspection".

Ofsted said it was unable to comment on individual inspections or complaints.