Happy Days Nurseries recently hosted three half-day apprenticeship events over the past two weeks as part of National Apprenticeship Week, an exciting chance for our growing cohort of over 100 apprentices to connect face-to-face.

These events were organised by Claire Drake, our Learning and Development Lead, and delivered in partnership with Realise, one of our apprenticeship training providers. They supported and educated our apprentices on completing their Off-the-Job (OTJ) hours, a vital component of their apprenticeship programmes. We also focused on helping apprentices stay on track, share experiences, and understand the impact they have on the wider Happy Days Nurseries business.

“These sessions gave apprentices a chance to meet peers at different stages of their programmes, share advice, and build supportive networks,” said Claire Drake. “It’s rare for everyone to come together like this, and it was fantastic to see the engagement and enthusiasm throughout.”

The sessions were highly interactive, featuring quizzes, group activities, and discussions designed to explore common challenges in completing apprenticeships. Together with Realise, we guided apprentices through strategies for managing OTJ hours effectively, while activities encouraged reflection on how apprentices contribute to the business and how our central teams can support them. We also emphasised how our apprentices demonstrate the Happy Days Nurseries SHINE Values in everything they do.

Feedback from our apprentices highlighted the value of the sessions:

Karen from Toddletown Godalming Nursery commented, “The activities were a great insight into apprenticeships. The OTJ guidance from Realise was especially handy. Overall, it was a great session, thank you for putting it all together!”

Ellie Williams, Marketing Apprentice at Happy Days Nurseries, shared: “It was a great event that really brought apprentices together. It was interesting to learn from each other’s experiences across different types of apprenticeships, and to share ideas around Off-the-Job hours and how we can apply them within our own roles. Thank you to Victoria and Claire for organising and delivering such an engaging and supportive session, it made a real difference.”

Our apprentices also shared that they enjoyed meeting peers, learning practical tips on OTJ hours, participating in activities, and understanding more about the wider Happy Days Nurseries business.

Victoria Clifford-Jones from Realise praised the session for its delivery and impact: “It was an extremely well-delivered and valuable session. The event created a welcoming and supportive environment where apprentices could share ideas and learn from one another. Face-to-face training clearly boosts confidence, collaboration, and understanding. We really enjoyed being part of it and supporting the OTJ session, it was a pleasure to contribute.”

All three sessions were met with enthusiasm, engagement, and meaningful discussion, reflecting our strong commitment at Happy Days Nurseries to nurturing our apprentices and supporting their development.

If you are interested in finding out more about the apprenticeships offered at Happy Days Nurseries, please visit:
👉 https://happydaysnurseries.com/careers/

Every career has a starting point. For David, now a Regional Operations Manager here at Happy Days Nurseries, it began with an apprenticeship, a decision that set him on a path from the nursery floor to senior leadership within early years. 

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with David to reflect on his journey so far and how an apprenticeship has helped shape his career. 

David joined the early years sector as a Level 2 apprentice in a nursery setting, gaining hands-on experience while learning the foundations of the role. From the outset, the apprenticeship gave him the chance to build real skills, confidence, and a clear understanding of the impact early years professionals have on children’s lives. 

When asked why he chose an apprenticeship and what inspired him to work in early years, David shared a personal story from his own childhood. 
“I always remember a teacher from my primary school who had a really positive impact on me, and this inspired me to want to do the same. I wanted to have a positive influence on children during their early years, which is such an important stage of development.” 

It quickly became clear that early years wasn’t just a job for David, it was the career path he wanted to follow. 

“Early on in my apprenticeship, I realised that early years was the industry for me, so I decided to continue along that path. After completing my Level 3 studies, I was keen to keep learning and went on to complete leadership and management training. This is where I developed a desire to become a leader, not only to have an impact on children’s early years, but also to inspire practitioners to want to make that difference too.” 

Those next steps gave David a new perspective. Supporting children’s growth and learning remained at the heart of his work, while his passion also grew to include guiding and inspiring teams, mentoring other practitioners, and shaping the culture of the settings he worked in. 
 
Through continued learning, dedication, and experience, David progressed through a range of roles within nursery settings, building his leadership skills and supporting teams along the way. 

“I’ve been fortunate to continue progressing within an industry that I genuinely enjoy working in. I’ve moved up through the ranks within settings, and today I am a Regional Operations Manager.” 

When asked what advice he would give to someone considering an apprenticeship in early years, David’s message was clear. 
“Just do it. There are so many directions you can go in, and an apprenticeship really does support people in building a lifelong career.” 

David’s story is a powerful example of how apprenticeships can open doors, build confidence, and create genuine opportunities for progression. 
If you’re looking to kickstart your career in early years, why not start as an apprentice at Happy Days? We are proud to support the apprenticeship scheme, offering hands-on experience, structured learning, and clear pathways for growth within a supportive and nurturing environment. 

Please visit our careers page for more information: https://happydaysnurseries.com/careers/
 

To kick of National Apprenticeship Week, Leanne Marie (Early Years and Education Trainer Development Officer at Realise) visited the team at Happy Days Verwood to present Bella with her Apprentice of the Year Award.

Bella joined Happy days at the age of 16, straight from school. She introduced herself at an open event when she was 16 eager to start her career in early years. Her strong work ethic is admired and her passion for early years education shines through.

Bella consistently makes a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families and is an outstanding apprentice who will undoubtedly go far in her career in the early years sector, for which she deserves to be recognised. When she reached the end of her level 3 qualification she was awarded a Merit.

Leanne said: “I could not be more proud of Bella and all her hard work that led to her not only being an Early Achiever, but also receiving a Merit for her Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship! Bella is an outstanding practitioner and a true asset to the Early Years Sector! Congratulations on such a well deserved award! Hard work does pay off and you smashed it!”

Bella was also a NMT Apprentice of the Year Finalist and Shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at the Happy Days Shine Awards 2026!

National Apprenticeship Week is an entire week to celebrate the dedication our apprentices have for their education and commitment to create an environment where children can shine. Bella is just one of the 100+ Apprentices currently training at Happy Days Nurseries and we are using National Apprenticeship Week to celebrate every single one of them. Learn more about our other amazing apprentices through our Facebook and TikTok feeds throughout the week.

If you are looking to start your Apprentice journey then visit our careers page: https://happydaysnurseries.com/careers/

Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School in Yate has proudly celebrated its second birthday, marking two years of supporting children and families in the heart of the Ladden Garden Village community.

Since opening its doors two years ago, Happy Days Yate has quickly become a much-loved setting for local families. The purpose-built nursery was designed to offer children a calm, inspiring environment with free-flow access between indoor and outdoor spaces, supporting confident, curious learners from the very start of their journey.

In just two years, the nursery has already achieved an Ofsted ‘Good’ rating, a significant milestone that reflects the dedication, skill and commitment of the team. This achievement highlights the strong relationships built with families and the consistent, high-quality care and education provided every day.

To mark the occasion, families were welcomed with a selection of birthday treats in the reception area. The nursery’s much-loved chef, Karina, baked cupcakes for parents and staff to enjoy, alongside croissants, pain au chocolat and iced coffees for families to grab on the go, a small thank you for the trust and support shown since opening.

Zoe, Nursery Manager at Happy Days Yate, reflected on the milestone:
“The past two years have flown by. Watching the nursery grow, welcoming so many wonderful families and seeing children thrive has been incredibly rewarding. I’m so proud of our team and everything we’ve achieved together, including our Ofsted Good rating. Thank you to all our families for being part of our journey — we really couldn’t do it without you.”

Sam Richardson, Operations Manager, also shared her congratulations:
“Happy Days Yate is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when you have a passionate, committed team and a strong sense of community. Achieving Ofsted Good within two years is something to be very proud of. It’s been fantastic to see the nursery grow and continue to provide such a warm, welcoming environment for children and families.”

As Happy Days Yate looks ahead, the focus remains on continuing to build strong partnerships with families, nurturing children’s confidence and curiosity, and creating a place where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn.

Happy second birthday, Happy Days Yate, here’s to many more years of learning, laughter and shared milestones ahead. 🎉

Happy Days is a purpose built, one level nursery & pre-school with direct garden access. Inside, it is wonderfully spacious, equipped with high end furniture and resources to inspire and ignite children’s minds and imagination, making it the perfect environment for children to learn and grow. Our staff team have formed strong bonds with our families and ensure our children are cherished and cared for to the highest standards.

To find out more about Happy Days Nursery and Pre-School, Yate click here, to book a tour and view this incredible space click here. Alternatively you can get in touch with the nursery via the contact information below.

Phone: 01454 540006 | Email: yate@happydaysnurseries.com