About Us

OFSTED inspection report, May 2016

"The exceptionally inspirational management team is a strong force and improves outcomes for all children. The highly motivated staff work with enthusiasm and use additional training very well to develop their expertise"

The Sutton Opportunity Group was started in 1991 and became a registered charity in 1993. It was formed with the object of providing an opportunity for children with special educational needs to play and learn alongside their mainstream peers. There was no such inclusive provision in Sutton at the time. It became a company limited by guarantee in 2006 in order to ensure financial protection for trustees.

Initially it was located in Grove Hall, Carshalton, later it moved to Hillview and in 1997 the group moved to the Sutton Mencap building in Wallington. From September 2011 it has been located in the Grange Children’s Centre at Beddington Park. And now we are located in Roundshaw at the Amy Johnson Children Cente. This provides exciting outdoor learning opportunities and integration with other family services.

The provision

It has had approximately 26 children on roll for many years and worked initially with a staff ratio of 1:4 with children who required it receiving lower ratios or individual support according to their needs. The group started with two joint play leaders and relied very heavily on volunteers working within the group and raising money. Numbers now have risen to 34-38 on roll with 14 staff and a management committee of 10 trustees. The pre-school is now investigating the possible development of an afternoon session because of demand. 50% of the children have additional needs and some of those needs are significant and may even be life threatening.

Management Structure

Our History

Because we are a charity and a company limited by guarantee we have a management committee of trustees, who are also directors. They are elected at our Annual General Meeting and are responsible for the employment of the staff and ensuring the effective running of the pre-school.

The Annual General Meeting is held in December each year and all families are invited to attend. £2 of your initial payment on joining the pre-school entitles you to be a Family Member and gives you a vote at that meeting when we present the accounts and our annual report.

We always have parents on the management committee and if you would be interested please let the manager know and we can arrange to have a chat and tell you about what is involved.