Latest News
- Michael Follett OPAL Director will be presenting a keynote speech at the Early Education Council conference in Rotorua New Zealand on the theory and practice of early years outdoor spaces.
- OPAL is pleased to be acting as a consultant to Atlantic Trampolines to help develop their range of outdoor play equipment with items that have high play value, writing "play notes" for products, writing blog articles on the benefits of play and featuring on their website in the capacity of "ask the expert".
- OPAL are working with staff designing the outdoor playable landscapes for all three of Bristol's early excellence children's centres.
WELCOME TO OPAL
Play Development Consultancy
I established OPAL to work with schools, providers, councils, companies and organisations to improve all aspects of children's opportunities to play and learn outdoors.
Our services enable our clients to understand what children need, what they are doing well already and how they can plan and design all aspects of improvement. OPAL is founded on a history of innovation and success in creating lasting and significant change. Two of my innovations which have gone on to have a national impact are the setting up the first Community Play Rangers project in 2003 for Bath and North East Somerset Council, and the co-founding of the PlayPods with Children's Scrapstore in Bristol in 2006. Recently OPAL have been commissioned to create beautiful and innovative play landscapes for all three of Bristol's 'Early Years Excellence' Children's Centres. Michael Follett CEO
Our services enable our clients to understand what children need, what they are doing well already and how they can plan and design all aspects of improvement. OPAL is founded on a history of innovation and success in creating lasting and significant change. Two of my innovations which have gone on to have a national impact are the setting up the first Community Play Rangers project in 2003 for Bath and North East Somerset Council, and the co-founding of the PlayPods with Children's Scrapstore in Bristol in 2006. Recently OPAL have been commissioned to create beautiful and innovative play landscapes for all three of Bristol's 'Early Years Excellence' Children's Centres. Michael Follett CEO
Schools and Early Years
Services
Audit, INSETS, Grounds Design and Planning, Policy Development, Quality Assurance, Training, Workshops
The OPAL programme supports primary schools in the development of high quality children's play opportunities. The programme has taken ten years to develop and been trialled in over eighty schools. Schools follow a process of self evaluation, planning and training supported by a mentor and excellent resources. OPAL has been independently evaluated by academics from two universities and shown to have a 'transformative' effect on schools.
Benefits
Increase motivation of staff and children Save money on staff time and resources
Reduce unwanted behaviour at playtime Meet current guidance on risk and play
Policy
Services
Policy and Strategy Development, Service Planning, Monitoring, Reporting
All Local Authorities need a Play Policy and Strategy if they are to provide for the wellbeing of children and meet their legal obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In addition the Health and Safety Executive and the Government now endorse a risk-benefit method in managing risk which requires an informed policy based approach. OPAL staff can manage the process of policy development, implementation, planning, monitoring and reporting for local government, councils, housing associations and other organisations.
Benefits
Meet children's rights under UN charter Manage plans across departments
Use resources more effectively Meet current risk/benefit guidance
Planning
Services
Community Consultation, Concept Planning, Planning Guidance, Design Briefs, Landscape Designer Training
Major capital projects require concept plans and briefs which contain a coherent vision and ensure policy is translated into practice. OPAL can help developers, planners, designers, landscape architects and project managers in the early stages of planning, to ensure opportunities to play are creatively integrated into outdoor spaces.
Benefits
Meet Authority play policy criteria Develop innovative design for play spaces
Create design briefs for play Ensure projects meet their aims and user needs
Services
Audit, INSETS, Grounds Design and Planning, Policy Development, Quality Assurance, Training, Workshops
The OPAL programme supports primary schools in the development of high quality children's play opportunities. The programme has taken ten years to develop and been trialled in over eighty schools. Schools follow a process of self evaluation, planning and training supported by a mentor and excellent resources. OPAL has been independently evaluated by academics from two universities and shown to have a 'transformative' effect on schools.
Benefits
Increase motivation of staff and children Save money on staff time and resources
Reduce unwanted behaviour at playtime Meet current guidance on risk and play
Policy
Services
Policy and Strategy Development, Service Planning, Monitoring, Reporting
All Local Authorities need a Play Policy and Strategy if they are to provide for the wellbeing of children and meet their legal obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In addition the Health and Safety Executive and the Government now endorse a risk-benefit method in managing risk which requires an informed policy based approach. OPAL staff can manage the process of policy development, implementation, planning, monitoring and reporting for local government, councils, housing associations and other organisations.
Benefits
Meet children's rights under UN charter Manage plans across departments
Use resources more effectively Meet current risk/benefit guidance
Planning
Services
Community Consultation, Concept Planning, Planning Guidance, Design Briefs, Landscape Designer Training
Major capital projects require concept plans and briefs which contain a coherent vision and ensure policy is translated into practice. OPAL can help developers, planners, designers, landscape architects and project managers in the early stages of planning, to ensure opportunities to play are creatively integrated into outdoor spaces.
Benefits
Meet Authority play policy criteria Develop innovative design for play spaces
Create design briefs for play Ensure projects meet their aims and user needs
The OPAL Guarantee
At OPAL we are committed to improving the quality of children's lives through delivering a high quality effective service. We want you to be confident that you are making a sound investment for children in choosing OPAL, so we guarantee that if you are not happy with the programme or your service we will refund 100% of your charges.
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