Happy Faces Pre-School

Play dough superheroes, conversations about feelings and children helping with the washing-up give Happy Faces Pre-School a recognisable character in its January 2023 account. Everyday play carried opportunities to talk, think and take responsibility. At its 11 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good.

Based on Frosthole Close in Fareham, PO15 6DD, Happy Faces has 32 places in total. In January 2023, the children attending were aged two to four; that age range belongs to the inspection period.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and daily routines become opportunities to develop language, physical skills and independence.

In January 2023, children made a superhero's hiding place from play dough and explained their ideas to adults. Stories also prompted conversation and counting, bringing early literacy and number work into the same activity. French and Kurdish words featured in a greeting song, recognising children's home languages alongside English.

That January, exercise involved dancing, singing and changing speed, with adults drawing attention to faster heartbeats. Outdoors, a climbing frame and bicycles supported movement. Children also swept sand and helped sort cups and bowls after snack, giving them practical jobs they could complete themselves.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described SEND support involving outside agencies, Makaton and Picture Exchange Communication System to help children communicate. These were concrete communication tools, rather than a general promise of support.

In January 2023, key persons comforted children who needed help separating from parents, while conversations about feelings formed part of the day. Communication books carried updates about children's progress, and books went home for shared reading. Staff training addressed speech and language development, supporting the identification of children needing extra help.

Healthy habits had a mixed picture that January. Children washed their hands before food and served their own morning snack, but snack choices did not consistently support balanced eating; staff also needed to do more with parents to encourage healthier packed lunches.

The address is Frosthole Close, Fareham, PO15 6DD. In January 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays, with attendance during term time only. This describes the opening window at that date.

In January 2023, Happy Faces received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. Children brought packed lunches from home during that period.

• Healthy eating. In January 2023, snack balance and the encouragement of healthier packed lunches needed attention. Families weighing food routines should take both parts of that finding into account.
• Natural materials. In January 2023, opportunities to explore nature were too restricted, especially when the outdoor space could not be used. This matters for children who enjoy handling and investigating natural objects.
• Attendance arrangements. The January 2023 pattern was term-time opening from 9am to 3.30pm. When visiting, what attendance arrangements now apply, and how would they fit your family's week?

Happy Faces merits consideration for families who value conversation, imaginative play and practical independence. Its January 2023 picture combines comforting key-person relationships with purposeful everyday activities. The balance needs to include the two improvement priorities: healthier eating and fuller access to natural materials. Families seeking the term-time daytime care described in January 2023 have a clear starting point for assessing its fit.