Smiley Faces Day Nursery

Caterpillars becoming butterflies gave children at Smiley Faces Day Nursery something real to talk about in June 2023: they connected changes in the enclosure with the story The Very Hungry Caterpillar. That example captures the nursery's inspection-era emphasis on conversation, attention and learning alongside other children.

At its 28 June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The nursery is in Bentley, Doncaster, and accepts children aged 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. In June 2023, learning here included communication, social development and practical exploration.

In June 2023, circle time included a song that encouraged children to name their neighbours, while counting and butterfly-pattern activities introduced number, shape and creativity. Stories were linked to termly themes, giving children opportunities to encounter new vocabulary through connected experiences rather than isolated words.

Growing sunflowers extended that learning beyond the nursery. In June 2023, staff supplied seeds for families to grow at home, connecting children's planting experiences with something parents could share. Tidying also formed part of the day: younger children put toys into baskets, while older children practised returning resources to their places.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with the SENCo coordinating individual targets alongside families and other professionals and staff receiving training for specialist equipment where needed.

In June 2023, parents contributed information about their children's existing knowledge, hoped-for learning and family celebrations. This gave planning a connection to children's lives beyond the setting. Staff also shared forthcoming themes, allowing families to understand what children would be exploring.

During meals in June 2023, adults sat with children and encouraged conversation. Stories also prompted discussion about food and feeling healthy, bringing that topic into children's everyday learning.

The address is Bently Childrens Centre, 104 The Avenue, Bentley, Doncaster, DN5 0NP. Current opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with Bank Holiday closures.

In June 2023, the nursery operated during term time, with session times of 8.30am to 4.30pm, and provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Those attendance and funding details describe that period.

• Alternatives to group activities. In June 2023, children who opted out of planned sessions were not given equally purposeful alternatives. Ask how staff now extend learning for children who prefer their own play.
• Time to revisit learning. In June 2023, resources were withdrawn after organised activities, restricting further exploration. Ask how children can return to an activity and practise again.
• Planning attendance. For a family considering this Bentley setting, what booking pattern and funded-hours arrangements would apply to their child?

Smiley Faces suits families who value communication, shared stories and practical experiences that can continue at home. Its June 2023 examples give that emphasis substance, especially the butterfly observations and sunflower planting. The two teaching improvements matter too: children's learning needs to continue when they decline a group activity or want to revisit an experience.