FAMILIES and staff at a children’s centre are celebrating today – after being named as one of the top four in the country.

The Oaks Children’s Centre not only gained the top mark “outstanding” as its overall achievement but also was graded as “outstanding” in every single one of the 21 categories on which it was examined. It is one of only four centres in the UK to have reached such a high standard.

To mark the achievement, families who use the centre in the grounds of Grange Primary at Felixstowe, along with staff and volunteers, threw a party to celebrate.

County councillor Graham Newman, portfolio holder for children, schools and young people’s services, said the Ofsted report result was a stunning achievement.

“They are an amazing crew of people by any measure – we have 48 of these children’s centres in the county and this one really is our showpiece,” he said.

“It reflects the enthusiasm and hard work of everyone and the excellent leadership and commitment.”

Centre manager Jenny Clarke-Pearson said the centre’s area covered 800 children under five and it was in touch with 89 per cent of them. “Everyone involved here is passionate about the work we are doing and to get outstanding across the board was amazing,” she said.

“It’s a centre for the whole community, and the aim is to meet the needs of the community – the programmes we run respond to that need and are designed by working with the families that will use them.”