Welcome to Smiles of Quorn — a place where children come to laugh, play, and feel at home. We are proud to be a multi-award-winning, independent and family-run Out of School Club, fully insured and Ofsted registered to provide both wraparound childcare and holiday clubs. Our mission has always been simple: to give children a safe, vibrant and nurturing space where play is celebrated, friendships grow and every child feels they belong.

Smiles was founded in 2018 by friends and colleagues, Rachel Marshall and Suzy Saddington, who shared many years of experience in early years and primary education. Having worked in a primary school, they had often seen children dreading the thought of going to after-school clubs — and they wanted to change that. Their vision was to create a place children would look forward to, somewhere that felt different from the school day, where play, fun and freedom came first. That vision became Smiles, a club where children arrive excited, leave happy, and can’t wait to come back.

In 2021, Rachel became sole director and has continued to run Smiles as a family business with the same passion and ethos. Two years later, the first holiday club was launched, quickly becoming a much-loved part of what we do. Today, Smiles is a single setting with two thriving provisions: wraparound childcare during term time and holiday clubs in the school breaks.

We are based at The Deep End, Rawlins, right in the heart of the village. The facilities are modern, spacious and designed for children to feel welcome and inspired. Indoors, children enjoy bright, open spaces for games, crafts, building, role play and quiet time. Outdoors, the opportunities are endless — from the all-weather 3G pitch and ball courts to grass fields and a woodland area with Forest School for den building and adventure.

Our wraparound childcare includes a short daily walk to and from St Bartholomew’s C of E Primary School. We see this as an important part of the day, not just a journey. Research shows that regular walks can lift mood, improve focus and support children’s overall wellbeing. It gives them fresh air, exercise and a chance to chat with friends along the way. Most importantly, it marks a clear break between school and club, helping children to unwind, reset and arrive at Smiles ready for fun.

For holiday clubs, excellent transport links mean families join us from across the county, giving children the chance to make new friends, grow in confidence and enjoy being part of a lively, welcoming community.

Smiles is built on play — giving children the freedom to choose how they spend their time while also enjoying an ever-changing mix of activities led by our team. In our wraparound childcare, the emphasis is on free play, with children choosing from arts and crafts, construction, role play, games, sports, quiet corners for reading and plenty of outdoor fun. Alongside this, each week brings a new adult-led theme, so there’s always something different to try — from creative projects to mindfulness activities, dance sessions or cooking challenges.

Our holiday clubs build on this variety with a broader programme designed to keep children engaged throughout the day. Activities are shaped around five themes: physical activity, arts and crafts, baking and cooking, perform and imagine, and explore and discover. This gives children the chance to burn off energy, get creative, learn new skills, perform with friends or head outdoors to uncover nature’s secrets.

Mealtimes are part of the fun too. Children enjoy healthy breakfasts and snacks, with fresh fruit and vegetables always available, and independence encouraged as they help prepare and clear away their food. We are proud to have achieved a five-star food hygiene rating at every inspection.

Excellence in childcare defines everything we do, and our work has been recognised both locally and nationally. Our 2021 Ofsted inspection awarded us the highest possible outcome, with glowing feedback on the quality of our provision. The following year, our safeguarding practices were commended through the Safer Activities for Everyone Award, following a robust external safeguarding audit. Recognition continued in 2023 when Rachel was named Manager of the Year at the national Out of School Club Awards (OSCAs), with judges praising her passion for improving children’s experiences, her support for staff wellbeing and her commitment to quality. Most recently, in 2024, Lucy Hardy, one of our dedicated team, proudly won Club Worker of the Year at the OSCAs, recognising her energy, creativity and the positive difference she makes every day. Together, these honours reflect not only the trust placed in us by families, but also national recognition of the high standards and joyful ethos that make Smiles unique.

Every child who joins Smiles is valued as an individual. We celebrate diversity, nurture confidence and believe that play is essential for happiness and growth. We are a welcoming and inviting setting, and we’d love to meet you. Whether you are looking for wraparound childcare or a holiday club, get in touch today to arrange a visit and see for yourself what makes Smiles so special. Smiles of Quorn is more than childcare. It is a place to play freely, make new friends and create memories. It is a community where children belong and where every smile really does count.