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Happy Faces Pre-school (LAMPH)

Ofsted: Expected standard·Jane Garrod House, Colne Valley Road, HAVERHILL, CB9 8DT · Suffolk
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2026
Local authority
Suffolk

About this day nursery

Happy Faces Pre-school (LAMPH) in Haverhill, Suffolk, has been operating since 1997, providing childcare for children aged 2-4 years. While the latest Ofsted rating from February 2026 is 'Requires Improvement,' the new leadership team is actively implementing improvements, including significant enhancements to the outdoor learning environment.

Children at Happy Faces make steady progress from their individual starting points, with a notable strength in early mathematical understanding. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to reflect children's needs and interests, ensuring an inclusive approach for all, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or those needing additional language support.

The pre-school prioritises warm relationships, with staff forming strong attachments with children and fostering a positive and considerate environment. Children learn independence through daily routines and benefit from a purposefully organised environment that allows them to choose resources and move confidently between activities.

The setting demonstrates a commitment to supporting children's communication and wellbeing, using strategies like Makaton sign language and providing sensory resources to meet diverse needs.

Our ethos

Happy Faces Preschool focuses on a relaxed and happy atmosphere where learning occurs through play and individualised attention. They believe in fostering creativity and development through a wide range of stimulating equipment and providing a nurturing environment.

What it's like

The provider has not ensured that progress checks for children aged between 2 and 3 years have been completed, which may have hindered their progress. However, the new leadership team has begun to implement improvements, including developing the outdoor learning environment, and children are happy and make steady progress from their individual starting points. Children who learn best outdoors can do so freely, supporting the learning styles of all children.

Strong mathematical understandingWarm attachments with staffPurposeful outdoor environmentInclusive curriculumSupport for diverse needs

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged per three-hour session or per full day. Extra sessions not covered by funding are charged at different rates depending on the child's age, with separate pricing for two-year-olds and three-to-four-year-olds.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Good to know

  • A standard session is 3 hours, running 9.15am – 12.15pm or 12.30pm – 3.30pm.
  • Fees are charged for absences due to sickness or holidays.
  • Payments can be made directly to the manager or via direct payment.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9:15 am to 3:15 pm (term-time only)

Session types

Morning session, Afternoon session, Full day

Age range

2 years 6 months to almost 5 years

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

1997

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Feb 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionNeeds attention
Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
Age range
2 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Happy Faces Pre-school (LAMPH)

Last inspected 11 February 2026 · Shelly McDougall

Safeguarding effective

Actions the provider must take

  • ensure that progress checks are completed for all children aged between 2 and 3 years

What it's like to attend

The provider has not ensured that progress checks for children aged between 2 and 3 years have been completed, which may have hindered their progress. However, the new leadership team has begun to implement improvements, including developing the outdoor learning environment, and children are happy and make steady progress from their individual starting points. Children who learn best outdoors can do so freely, supporting the learning styles of all children.

Inspector highlights

  • Children achieve well from their individual starting points, particularly in early mathematical understanding.
  • Children show care and consideration towards others and form warm attachments with staff.
  • The environment is thoughtfully organised so that children can choose resources and move confidently between activities.
  • Leaders have designed a curriculum that reflects children's needs and interests, with purposeful use of the outdoor environment.
  • Staff take the time to get to know children and their families, tailoring support to individual needs.

Areas to develop

  • 1The provider has not ensured that staff consistently complete progress checks for children aged between 2 and 3 years.
  • 2The provider has not ensured that all progress checks are completed for children aged between 2 and 3 years. This is a breach of requirements and limits the routine sharing of key developmental information with parents.
Inspection #10401392 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children's progress in communication and language is supported, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Consistent reassurance is provided by familiar adults to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The curriculum is inclusive and adapted thoughtfully for children's additional needs, with leaders using additional funding and staff receiving training to support speech and language. Makaton sign language is used during routines and play, and sensory resources are provided.

Outdoor space

The outdoor environment is used purposefully, where children can choose where to play. Staff model precise mathematical language outdoors, introducing ideas related to capacity and measurement. Children who learn best outdoors can do so freely, supporting the learning styles of all children.

EAL / language support

Children's progress in communication and language is supported through daily interactions, storytelling, and consistent modelling of new words. Staff use a language screening tool to identify gaps in children's communication and introduce strategies to support them, including Makaton sign language, to help children understand communication and participate more confidently.

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Requires improvement in 2025

Date: July 2011

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Requires improvement). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • August 2025Requires improvement
  • April 2025Inadequate
  • February 2020Outstanding
  • May 2016Outstanding
  • July 2011Outstanding

Frequently asked about Happy Faces Pre-school (LAMPH)

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