TAVISTOCK'S children's centre is now aiming to improve even further, after being judged 'good' in its first inspection.

The Barnardo's project in Abbey Rise provides free support and advice to parents and carers of under fives from across the town and surrounding villages.

Support includes parenting programmes, play sessions, breastfeeding support, baby massage and adult learning, as well as groups for young parents and childminders.

Staff were praised by Ofsted for their 'relentless' efforts to reach out to the local community and for going 'above and beyond expectations'.

The report said: 'A good quality service, sensitive to those most in need, is provided by staff that are creative and inspired by the enthusiasm of managers.

'Parents report a high level of trust (and) particularly value the stability the children's centre provides for them in times of crisis.

'Registration rates have increased over the last two years because managers are relentless in their efforts to widen access.

'There are increasing numbers of young parents, lone parents, children with additional needs, and children from black and minority ethnic groups, families affected by domestic abuse and armed forces families.

'Staff work sensitively with families, especially those who are most vulnerable, to ensure they engage fully until their needs are met.

'Parents told inspectors about the positive impact it's had on the lives of their children and themselves.'

The report added: 'Staff go above and beyond expectations to provide services that make a big difference to families' well-being.

'Parents spoke about the warmth and empathy shown to them (and) report improvement in their self-esteem, confidence and in their understanding of their children's behaviour.

'Partnerships with schools, early years providers and childminders are good. Schools speak highly of the collaborative work with families that ensure children's readiness for school.'

In order to improve further, staff were told to strengthen the accuracy of information about which children and families were registered and improve systems to plan and record activity sessions so that aims and objectives were clear.

Tavistock children's centre is managed by Barnardo's on behalf of Devon County Council, and supports not only Tavistock but also Princetown, Woolwell, Bere Alston, Lifton and all surrounding areas.

Barnardo's team manager Abby Sproats said: 'We were pleased to be judged as providing a "good" service and that the inspectors recognised our positive relationships with parents.

'Now we want to build on that success and aim to achieve "outstanding" at our next inspection.

'We hope this report will encourage local families to learn more about how we can work together to give their children the best possible start in life.'