Syderstone Happy Faces Playgroup
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Fakenham for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2024. Open since 1994, with 26 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Norfolk
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Norfolk from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
NR21 7PXWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 20 June 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff create a nurturing and caring environment at this small, rural playgroup. An inclusive, family atmosphere helps children feel safe and secure. As a result, children settle very quickly and are eager to attend. Children develop wonderful, trusting relationships with staff, who know them very well and show children frequent affection. Children beam with delight as staff call them 'sugarplum' and
'sweetheart'. Staff's positive interactions help to enhance children's knowledge and skills as they play. For example, children enjoy planting and watering flowers. Staff ask, 'What do plants need to help them grow?'
Children are engaged and motivated in activities of their choosing. They show good attitudes to learning and develop lovely friendships as they play. Older children notice their friends arriving and are quick to greet them. They ask, 'Shall we play chase?'. Children read books together and use their imagination playing with dolls and prams. Staff give praise as children share and play together. This helps build on children's self-esteem. Staff empower children to try new experiences, such as using tweezers and pretend fishing rods. They give clear instructions and step back to allow children time to practise. This helps children develop resilience and become successful at learning new skills.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the organisation of routine transition times so that children remain fully engaged and can build on their learning.
- 20 June 2024Good
- 28 September 2018Good
- 11 January 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Syderstone Happy Faces Playgroup
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.