Dulwich Wood Children's Centre and Nursery School & Children's Centre

Activities: Children have benefited particularly in their literacy skills with many families attending Bookstart sessions, and Stay and Play sessions also help parents understand how to interact with their children.

Skills , Knowledge and Behavior: A parent reflected the views of many with the comment ‘My child is different now, not angry. Dulwich Wood has given me a bond with him.’

Communication: Thank you for your participation in the inspection. Those of you we spoke to were unanimous in your praise for all the centre staff have done for you and your children.

Community Building: Several spoke of the dedication of the staff who give ‘110%’ and will go beyond what is expected of them to ensure help for specific problems is offered.

Programs and Resources: My child is different now, not angry. Dulwich Wood has given me a bond with him.

Staff Training: Centre staff are adept at recognising signs of domestic abuse and/or child protection concerns.

Welcoming and Professional Staff: The centre is highly inclusive, reflecting a strong commitment to equality and diversity, and those who use it feel welcomed and have a high level of confidence in the staff. ‘Such a warm welcome’ was a common description of the centre.

Safeguarding Training: Staff are clear about child protection procedures and are well trained.

Play and Learning Integration: Children and adults show high levels of enjoyment of the activity sessions. At a Bumps and Babes session, children and babies were encouraged to play with a wide range of kitchen utensils, developing their inquisitive skills as a result.

Transition to Primary School: Parents report that their children settle quickly when they join the nursery school, which has a positive impact on their progress there.

Diversity Management: The population is 45% White/White British heritage, 35% Black/Black British, 11% mixed heritage and 9% Asian/Asian British. Fifteen languages are spoken as an additional language to English by users of the centre and 30% of children speak English as an additional language.

Child Safety Management: Adults and children feel safe and secure in the centre not only because of the good physical arrangements for entry but also because of the warm, welcoming staff.

Children's Safety and Security: The reach area has a low rate of emergency hospital admissions for children.

Happiness and Settling: Children happily part from parents in the crèche.

Nutritional Menu: There is always fresh fruit available at activities and meetings, and courses have been held to help users understand how to eat healthily on a budget.