Nearly 100 mums, children and even a grandmother or two joined celebrations at Uxbridge College Children’s Centre.

The party on Tuesday (May 22), which included face-painting, games, a family zumba session and of course a celebration cake, was held to mark the result of the centre’s first Ofsted inspection in which it was graded ‘Good’. A total of 47 families attended.

The centre, which opened three years ago, supports families from in and around Hayes in a wide range of areas including health and fitness, parenting support, adult education, and financial and housing advice.

The Ofsted report, which followed an inspection in March, praised the centre for its positive outcomes including: • creating a warm and welcoming environment for families attending the centre • caring for and supporting families effectively during difficult times • improving the mental health and well-being of families and children • increasing the numbers of mothers starting and continuing breastfeeding • improving achievement in local primary school as a knock-on effect Inspectors also noted that there was an exceptionally strong sense of teamwork at the centre. Rose Alphonse, who reports to the Principal of the college and Hillingdon Council, was instrumental in setting up the centre and has overseen its management since it opened in March 2010.

Ms Alphonse said: “Our whole team is extremely proud of this inspection result which I for one feel is a fitting tribute to everyone’s hard work over the previous three years.

“Our aim in everything we do at Uxbridge College Children’s Centre is to support families in a way which can improve their experience of life in the short, medium and long term, and we are delighted to see that Ofsted seems to think we are getting it right!

“We are now looking forward to building on this excellent result in our continuing work with families from in and around the Hayes area.”