Smiley Faces Childcare

A wheelbarrow became a target for ball throwing at Smiley Faces Childcare in December 2024, a small example of how physical play gave children a challenge to persist with. This Boston setting has capacity for 24 children. At its 2 December 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective.

Children attending at that time were aged 1 to 10. The strongest examples involved everyday experiences: sharing toys, preparing fruit to eat and practising skills with equipment adapted to their development.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and daily routines provide opportunities to develop language, physical skills and independence. In December 2024, water play served different purposes for different children, including practising pouring and exploring words about how much containers hold.

During that month, children who could already handle chunky scissors received scissors requiring finer control. Outdoors, staff brought children into a shared ball game, then introduced the wheelbarrow target. These examples show how an ordinary activity could offer a next step rather than simply occupy children.

Group learning was less consistently adapted in December 2024. At welcome time, some children became disengaged because the discussion was difficult to follow or insufficiently interesting for them. Making these activities suitable for different developmental needs was an improvement priority.

At the December 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff responded promptly to emerging developmental gaps, involving specialist services and parents in support planning. This gave families a route into additional help when a concern arose.

Daily routines in December 2024 included handwashing before food and opportunities for children to pour drinks themselves. Staff also modelled clearer pronunciation during snack-time conversation, combining social interaction with language practice.

Communication needed attention. In December 2024, some parents did not understand or access the information shared with them, leaving them unclear about their child's key person or learning. Improving that connection was the other improvement priority.

The address is Tumbletotz, 10 Grove Street, Boston PE21 6TL.

In December 2024, sessions ran from 6.30am to 6pm, with attendance operating on weekdays throughout the year apart from bank holidays. Funded early education was also provided at that time.

• Parent communication. The December 2024 findings included parents being unclear about key-person arrangements and learning. On a visit, ask how those details are now explained and shared.
• Group activities. Welcome time did not engage every child in December 2024. Ask how staff adjust shared activities for children at different stages.

Smiley Faces Childcare merits consideration for families who value practical learning through play and everyday independence. Its December 2024 examples give that judgement substance, while communication with parents and the adaptation of group activities deserve close attention. For families considering the early-start sessions described at that date, those questions are central to assessing the fit.