Taunton Opportunity Group

Taunton Opportunity Group Wooden Spoon House, Crowcombe Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 7NF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 February 2017 22 April 2014

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The provider has not notified Ofsted of changes to the committee within the required timescales or provided the necessary information for them to check the suitability of all members.  Although group times are well organised so that children do not sit for too long, some group activities do not provide consistent challenge for most-able children.  Occasionally, staff do not fully encourage and support children to follow their interests and choices in play.

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It has the following strengths

 The manager and staff work extremely well with other professionals, early years providers and parents to monitor children's progress and plan for their specific needs. Children form close, warm relationships with the staff, feel emotionally secure and grow in confidence.  The manager and staff use their expert skills and experience to effectively support children who have special educational needs. For example, they use signing successfully to further develop children's communication and language skills.  The manager involves staff well to use self-evaluation effectively to identify areas for improvement, to ensure positive outcomes for children. For example, staff have introduced regular music sessions following training, to help build children's confidence and develop their creativity.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 improve knowledge and understanding of the need to notify Ofsted promptly of any changes, and provide them with the required information to determine the suitability of all committee members. 28/02/2017

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Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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Due Date

 ensure all large group activities provide consistent challenge for most-able children  support children more to follow their interests and choices in play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager, the nominated person and spoke to staff, children and parents.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's learning records and safeguarding procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. The management team and staff have a good understanding of their role and responsibility to keep children safe. They know what to do if they have a concern about a child's welfare and they attend regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. However, the provider has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to members of the committee within the required timescale. This means that Ofsted has not been able to determine the suitability of all committee members. This was also an issue at the previous inspection. However, this does not affect children's experiences or their safety because committee members are never on their own with children. The management team effectively reviews and develops staff practice and their ongoing suitability to work with children. For example, staff observe one another teaching and provide constructive feedback to support their skills and make ongoing improvements. Staff attend regular

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

training, in particular to ensure they meet children's complex medical needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children extremely well and use their observations and accurate assessments to provide a wide range of activities to develop children's skills and build their confidence. For example, children follow instructions well as they sing songs and move in time to music. Staff support children well to use their senses to explore and investigate. For example, they say 'good squeezing' as children use tools to roll, push and prod the play dough to make shapes. Staff spontaneously extend children's learning during routines and activities. For example, they count with the children as they build towers with bricks.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are good role models for children. They give the children lots of praise and encouragement, which boosts their self-esteem effectively. Children's behaviour is good. At planned times, children enjoy being active, and benefit from regular fresh air and physical activity. For example, children thoroughly enjoy jumping on the trampoline and skilfully manoeuvre ride-on toys outside. Children feel safe and secure in the welcoming environment, where they use signing to communicate their needs effectively.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their individual starting points and learn skills that prepare them well for the next stage in their development and school. For example, they confidently use a 'choosing board' to let staff know their choice of food and drink at snack time. Children share and take turns during group activities. For example, they sing and 'sign' a song, as they welcome one another to the group.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 143087 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1068529 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person The Taunton Opportunity Group Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 April 2014 Telephone number 01823 284550

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reference number

Taunton Opportunity Group (TOG) registered in 1992 and specialises in supporting pre- school-aged children who have special educational needs. The group operates from purpose-built premises situated on the site of Wellsprings Primary School in Taunton, Somerset. It is open each weekday morning during term time from 9.15am to 1.10pm, which includes a lunch club. On Tuesday afternoon from 1.15pm to 3pm, there is a group for the under twos, which parents or a main carer attend with their child. The group is in receipt of funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are six members of staff employed, who all hold a level 3 qualification.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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