Smiley Dayz Nursery

In May 2024, books to borrow, games involving scores and children serving their own lunch gave Smiley Dayz Nursery a recognisable character: everyday routines supported independence and learning. The nursery is in Tingley and has 42 places in total.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged 0 to 4. The strongest examples involved enthusiasm for stories, persistence with mathematical problems and practical independence; the improvement priorities concerned older children's vocabulary and time for imaginative play.

In May 2024, stories prompted children to predict what might happen next, seek out books themselves and bring them to staff for reading. Books could also be borrowed for reading with parents, connecting nursery experiences with home.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, its day-to-day meaning included stories, play, number work and practical skills. In May 2024, older children calculated game scores, using fingers, counters or counting on to find answers. They persisted when an answer did not come immediately.

Creative play needed more breathing space. In May 2024, scheduled activities and routines sometimes interrupted children's opportunities to develop pretend characters and plots together. Older children's language teaching also needed greater precision: a minibeast activity missed opportunities to introduce relevant scientific words. Younger children received clearer explanations, including objects used to distinguish a truck from a car.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised support needs, worked with parents and external services, and had training to help children whose speech was falling behind. This gives families a concrete account of how additional support operated at that point.

In May 2024, consistent expectations helped children share resources and take turns. Independence was practised through putting on shoes and coats, serving lunch and using cutlery; staff also taught tool use and supported early pencil skills.

Communication helped parents support learning at home. In May 2024, parents received guidance about supporting learning at home and their child's next steps. Sensory resources supported learning, while additional funding helped provide education during holiday periods. Children also encountered different cultures and festivals through the curriculum.

The address is The Shenstone House, Bradford Road, Tingley, WAKEFIELD, WF3 1QP.

In May 2024, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays, a Christmas week and two annual staff training days. These are inspection-time opening hours, rather than a description of current booking patterns.

At that time, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. This establishes participation at that date, rather than an entitlement or attendance arrangement for an individual family.

• Older children's language. Vocabulary teaching was an improvement priority in May 2024. Ask how staff now introduce and revisit more demanding words during activities.
• Time for imaginative play. In May 2024, routines sometimes curtailed children's pretend-play development. Ask how the day now allows children to sustain shared stories and characters.
• Attendance planning. The May 2024 opening window included Christmas and training-day closures. Before choosing, ask which current session patterns and closure dates would apply to your family.

Smiley Dayz suits families who value shared reading, practical independence and communication about learning at home. Those preferences match concrete examples from May 2024. Families choosing for an older child should give equal attention to the two improvement priorities: richer vocabulary and uninterrupted imaginative play. The dated Good judgement provides a useful starting point for that decision.