Springboard Opportunity Group- Clevedon

Communication, individual learning needs and family support define this Clevedon setting's inspection-era character. At its 29 March 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated Springboard Opportunity Group- Clevedon Outstanding and found safeguarding effective, with provision tailored to children who all had special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The setting has capacity for 24 children. Those attending in March 2022 were aged two to four; that age range describes the children at that visit.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play bringing different areas of learning together. In March 2022, activities were adapted to individual children, and staff used their interests to extend what they could already do. Adults joined their play, asked questions and demonstrated ways to take part.

Communication had practical tools behind it. In March 2022, the Picture Exchange Communication System and Makaton were among the methods children used to express what they wanted, alongside speech and gestures. Children had several ways to make themselves understood. A routine hello song also gave them a shared way to welcome others into an activity.

Independence ran through everyday tasks in March 2022: children practised handwashing, opening lunch boxes and choosing their learning activities. These were manageable opportunities to do things for themselves.

At the March 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff coordinated care with other settings and outside agencies, while parents received help with additional-funding paperwork and support extending to the family. This mattered where a child's care involved several people or services.

In March 2022, key persons made time for conversations with parents, and children could settle at their own pace. An online system shared activities from the setting so families could try them at home; regular coffee mornings and training addressed children's particular needs.

Emotional support was individual in March 2022. Staff adjusted their responses to each child and allowed time for children to manage their feelings before stepping in. Leaders also reviewed practice, evaluated a communication system recommended by speech and language therapists, and supported staff through supervision and training. The setting shared training with other local early years providers.

The address is 2a Princes Road, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7SZ.

In March 2022, opening hours were 9.30am to 3.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday mornings brought stay and play throughout the year. Holiday provision then included a playscheme lasting a week at Easter and two weeks in summer, giving families a separate holiday arrangement alongside the weekday provision.

In March 2022, the group offered free early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated funding position, separate from the setting's current capacity.

• Attendance planning. The March 2022 timetable combined four weekdays with Wednesday stay and play and holiday playschemes. Which current attendance pattern would fit your child's needs and your family's week?
• Communication continuity. In March 2022, children used the Picture Exchange Communication System, Makaton, speech and gestures. Discuss how your child's established communication methods would carry between home and the setting.

For families seeking individual support with communication and daily independence, the March 2022 account gives concrete reasons to consider Springboard. Its strongest examples concern children expressing choices, parents receiving practical help and staff coordinating care across services. That dated picture is more useful than the grade alone when weighing its suitability for a particular child.