Happy Days Day Nursery in Poole is celebrating after achieving a ‘Good’ rating in all areas following its latest Ofsted inspection, carried out between 23 July and 12 August 2025.
Inspectors praised the nursery for providing a warm, nurturing environment where children form strong, loving relationships with staff and build empathy, patience, and kindness towards others. The report highlighted how staff consistently meet children’s needs with care and respect, creating a safe and secure atmosphere where every child can thrive.
The nursery was commended for delivering an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum that supports every child’s unique learning journey. Inspectors noted the range of innovative and hands-on activities that encourage children to explore and build on their experiences — from making paint out of crushed blackberries to creating brushes from natural materials found in the nursery’s ‘Wild Garden’.
Children benefit from a wealth of opportunities to learn about the world around them, including bug hunts, making flower crowns to attract wildlife, and community visits to local care homes. The report also praised how staff promote children’s physical and emotional wellbeing through daily outdoor play, mindfulness activities, and yoga sessions that help children relax and regulate their emotions.
Inspectors highlighted that children of all ages are supported to develop independence, communication, and problem-solving skills. Babies were seen exploring a wide range of sensory materials, while older children built on their curiosity through discovery and investigation — using magnifying glasses to identify creatures and expanding their vocabulary with complex words such as “multiple” and “cobwebs.”
The report also celebrated the nursery’s strong partnerships with parents, noting how families speak highly of staff and the care they provide. Inspectors recognised how staff “go above and beyond” to ensure the best possible experience for children and maintain open, proactive communication with families.
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive excellent support, with staff identifying additional needs swiftly and working closely with professionals to implement targeted strategies. Parents are also provided with valuable resources and drop-in clinics to help continue learning at home.
The inspection praised the leadership and management team for fostering a strong culture of wellbeing, professional development, and ambition. Staff benefit from continuous training, including SEND and the ‘Maths Champion’ programme, ensuring that learning opportunities are always rich, purposeful, and inclusive.
Located on Beechbank Avenue in Creekmoor, Happy Days Poole is a purpose-built nursery with designated parent parking and direct access to its beautiful outdoor spaces. Earlier this year, the nursery underwent a major expansion, opening a brand new baby room designed with calming colours, natural materials, and age-appropriate resources to support children under two.
Children at Poole benefit from exceptional outdoor learning opportunities in the nursery’s woodland area, complete with mud kitchens, a veggie patch, story den, wildflower meadow, and nature trail. The setting also continues its environmental efforts through the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award and the Woodland Trust Green Schools Award, encouraging children to become environmentally aware from an early age.
You can read the full Ofsted report by clicking here.
