Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks

Hinckley Parks Primary School, Leicester Road, Hinckley LE10 1LP
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9.1 7 Reviews
Welcome to Smiles Preschool, nestled in the heart of Hinckley Parks Primary School, where every day is an adventure in learning and laughter! Smiles Preschool prides itself on creating a warm and nurturing environment that sparks curiosity and fosters a love for exploration.

The dedicated team of experienced educators are committed to providing a stimulating and safe learning atmosphere. They understand that each child is unique and work tirelessly to nurture their individual talents.

Smiles Preschool believes that play is a child's work, and the curriculum reflects that philosophy. Through carefully crafted play-based activities, children develop essential skills such as creativity, problem-solving and social interaction.

They strongly believe in building a partnership with parents, using Tapestry Journal to share developmental milestones and communication.

Every achievement, no matter how small, is a cause for celebration at Smiles Preschool. From first steps to the first attempts at reading, they recognise and encourage each child's progress. They actively participate in community events and encourage a sense of community among preschool families. This helps create a supportive network for both parents and children.

Smiles Preschool strives to be more than just a place of learning; they aim to be a second home for your child, filled with joy, laughter and the building blocks for a bright future. Come join the team on this exciting journey of discovery and growth!
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Care Provided by Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks

  • Type of Service
  • Nursery School – Privately Owned
  • Open term time
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Nicola Smith (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 7
  • Total Places for Children
  • 56
  • Age Range
    • from 2 years 0 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • School Holidays

Funding & Fees Guide for Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks

  • Full day - £56.
    AM/PM/School day - £40.
    Hourly rate - £10.

  • Smiles preschool is a term time only setting. However, we do offer wrap around care at our nursery based in Sapcote.
  • Parking

  • Parking is available on the road, directly outside of their gates. However, during school drop off and collection times, this can become quite busy.


Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks Reviews (7)

9.1

Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks has a Review Score of 9.1 (9.123) out of 10, based on 7 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks has 7 reviews.

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  • 6
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Review from Laura D (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Absolutely blown away by this nursery! My 3-year-old hated being separated and never settled well anywhere. After the first day at Smiles, she came running out with a big smile on her face, saying, "That was so fun!".
Now, whenever there is a half term she's counting down the days until she can go
back. The staff are happy and engaging. They do fun things like baking, dancing, performing arts classes, and they even take them out on field trips.
Would highly recommend this nursery, hands down the best we've been to!

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Review from Sally K (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Smiles has the most welcoming and patient staff; each one makes the effort to know your child personally and with the wrap-around care, they get to follow the successes of children through their school journey too. This nursery really does prepare children for school and made my daughter's transition
to school really smooth. My son now attends and he loves the array of activities and the kindness of the staff. Thank you!

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Review from C G (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy loves it at Smiles Pre-school, they support his development and I never worry about whether or not he is properly looked after, the staff are very hands-on and attentive to the children in their care. The staff are very friendly and approachable, they put on lots of different activities
for the children to join in with and sometimes go out on little trips. They provide snacks for the children to enjoy and new things for them to try. Overall great experience, my son has come along a lot with his confidence and his speech since going here. Thank you!

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Review from D M (Father of Child) published on 12 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Couldn't be happier with Smiles! My eldest attended Smiles in 2021 and they were amazing, I looked around so many settings and was so happy to find Smiles. It really is a home-from-home environment with genuinely committed staff who were always so kind and caring and went the extra mile for both children
and parents, my child loved their time at Smiles and so did we, I have now sent my second child to Smiles and have yet again been so happy with the level of care. Both my children excelled here and developed lovely bonds with their key people and the rest of the staff, communication is brilliant too, I get updates from the app and am able to access their online journal with their photos and development. Management has also been brilliant with any questions I've had. Smiles is such a lovely place with the most incredible staff.

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Review from Grant F (Father of Child) published on 12 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All of the staff are really lovely, always smiling and welcoming. My daughter really enjoys it at Smiles. She has been going for over two years now. Seems to be lots to do inside. Recommended. Secure, entry via intercom, they make sure the gate is locked.

Reply from Katie, Administration at Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks

Thank you for such a lovely review. It is brilliant to be able to hear parent and children's opinions about the setting. As a setting, we have wonderful outdoor resources so, come rain or shine, we have the ability to make use of outdoor learning to those that enjoy the outdoors.


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Review from S T (Mother of Child) published on 22 November 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter loves going here! The staff all know her as an individual and truly do care about her. As soon as the doors open in the morning she just grabs her bags off me and runs straight in. The activities and themes they do each week are great and educational, encouraging the kids to learn new skills.
Definitely recommend Smiles Preschool!

Reply from Simon Palfreyman, Owner at Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks

Hello and thank you for such a lovely and honest review. Our team prides itself on getting to know each child so that they are able to teach and nurture them in a way that suits them. A lot of our activities and themes are based on the children's interests, which gives us the ability to be able to extend their learning through play :-)


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Review from C D (Mother of Child) published on 22 November 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My son absolutely loved Smiles Preschool when attending (he was there for just over a year before moving up to the school). He always came out smiling and would have enjoyed the activities carried out. He was also very fond of the staff members and was happy to approach any of them if his key worker
was not available. My only downfall about the preschool was the people who invoiced, so nothing to do with the specific setting. Numerous times invoices were incorrect and also, upon discussions in the playground, parents found that some were charged differently to others, even when still having government funded hours left over.

Reply from Simon Palfreyman, Owner at Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks

Thank you for your lovely review of the setting. We were absolutely delighted to have cared for your child, staff were very fond of him too and we hope he is enjoying school just as much.


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Current Review Score: 9.1 (9.123)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.1 (9.123) out of 10 for Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 7 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.3 out of 5 from 7 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.798 for Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks is calculated as follows: ( (69 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 84 Ratings = 4.798

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 4.325 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks is based on 7 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 3.7

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 56 number of registered child places is 11.2. 7 Positive Reviews ÷ 11.2 = 0.625

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

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Meet the Team (10)

Kelly

Kelly

Job Title: Owner

Joined: 2006

Following a nursing background for many years I took a career change into childcare and have been working in a variety of different childcare fields for 23 years. On completing my Early Years level 3 qualification I set up my own business childminding, during this time I identified a gap in the provision for older children and so in 2006 my first wrap-around school club was born at Manorfield Primary School.

I went on to study child psychology at Warwick University and opened three more wrap-around school clubs at Gilmorton, Holliers Walk (now Hinckley Parks) and St Margarets.

In 2016 I fulfilled my longterm dream of opening my own day nursery at Sapcote, followed quickly with our Pre-School at our Hinckley Parks site. I am immensely proud of Smiles, it has really been part of the family.

Simon and I have four children all of which have grown with Smiles either by attending one of the settings or working in them and gaining their own childcare qualifications.

My real passion within Smiles is the children themselves of which I am lucky enough to still be part of the fun they have in my settings when I visit the sites.

Outside Smiles I love family time, family dinners, games night and traveling. I enjoy the outdoors and do my best to keep fit with the gym, running and my new love of paddleboarding.

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Simon

Simon

Job Title: Finance Director

Joined: 2006

I specialise in all financial aspects of Smiles. Formally from a corporate finance background working for Alliance & Leicester for many years as retail savings manager and support service manager prior to working as help desk manager at PCMS group looking after the hardware and software support for clients such as PC world, Curry's, The Link and the Midlands Co-operative group.

I join Smiles in 2014 looking after the financial side of the business working with parents manage their bookings, provide invoices and work with Managers and Smiles admin on budgets to ensure Smiles continues to be a viable and successful business.

I'm an avid football fan especially for the mighty Liverpool FC and will mostly when not stuck in front of my PC will be either found playing 18 holes or lifting weights in the gym.

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Rachel

Rachel

Job Title: General Manager

Joined: 2021

I joined the team at Smiles Sapcote in September 2021 as nursery manager, then taking the role of general manager to oversee both Sapcote and our Hinckley Parks site.

I have worked in Early Years for over 17 years and gained a great deal of knowledge and experience along the way.

Starting my career as an apprentice completing my level 2 and 3 qualifications, I then progressed and completed my BA Honours Degree in Early Years whilst working as a practitioner. Over the years I have developed in my role, working my way up into management.

I am Designated Person for Safeguarding and have completed many other qualifications such as Paediatric First Aid, leadership, business management and Forest school training.

I am a mum of two and in my spare time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my children, family and horses. I also enjoy camping holidays.

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Nicola

Nicola Smith

Job Title: Manager

Joined: 2017

I have got my level 3 in childcare. I have been with Smiles for a couple of years now. I used to work with older children but also have experience of all ages in the nursery.

I am trained in First Aid and safeguarding.

I love working with children, the best part is when we get messy with fun messy plays and when we splash around in muddy puddles outside.

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Leah

Leah

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2021

I am the Deputy Manager at Smiles Hinckley Parks Pre-school and I have worked with Smiles since 2021. I have been in the childcare sector for several years both in early years and primary school.

I am a Level 3 qualified, and I am also working towards my Level 5 in Advanced Practitioner and Management qualification. I have recently graduated from the Hannen Learning Language and Loving It Training which focuses on the Communication and Language of early years children. I am a mum of three children, and I love working with children as they are such a joy helping them to grow into who they want to be.

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Emily

Emily

Job Title: 3rd In charge/SENDco

Joined: 2020

have been working for Smiles since 2020 I currently have a degree in Early childhood, and I am currently working towards my Early Years Initial Teacher Training qualification.

I adore everything about working with children, but my favourite thing is getting to play a part in their growth and development.

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Dylan

Dylan

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2021

I am Level 2 qualified, and I am currently working towards my Level 3. I enjoy working with children as it gives me an opportunity to help teach them many exciting things and to learn new skills.

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Nadine

Nadine

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2021

I am Level 2 qualified, and I am currently working towards my Level 3. I work across both the Breakfast and After school club, and Preschool. I have worked with children for nearly 5 years and absolutely love it as I find it very
rewarding, and every day is different.

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Freya

Freya

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2021

I am Level 3 qualified, and I have 7 years of experience working in childcare. I have worked with Smiles for the Last 2 years and I love getting to know the children and finding out their interests to help them learn and grow.

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Zoey

Zoey

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2015

I am a Level 3 qualified practitioner and I have worked with smiles for 8 years. I love working with the children and helping them to grow. I am also a Mum of two children.

... Read more

Frequently Asked Questions about Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks

What is the Age Range of Children that Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks accepts?

Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks accepts Children aged from 2 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks Open?

Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks is open: Monday 07:30-18:00, Tuesday 07:30-18:00, Wednesday 07:30-18:00, Thursday 07:30-18:00, Friday 07:30-18:00.

How many Children does Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks have capacity for?

Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks has capacity for a total of 56 Children.

How far is Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks to the centre of Hinckley?

0.6 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Smiles Preschool Hinckley Parks has an Enhanced Service – more info.