Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools is proud to have collaborated with the Department for Education on a national campaign promoting careers in early years, with a particular focus on apprenticeships.

The campaign aims to challenge outdated perceptions of the sector and highlight the skill, creativity and impact involved in working in early years education.

Filming took place across two Happy Days settings, Playbox and Derriford, where the internal marketing team captured authentic, day-to-day experiences within the nursery environment. The content was then used as part of the wider campaign.

Two of Happy Days’ apprentices, Kayla and Abigail, played a central role in the project. Through engaging video content, they shared real insights into their roles, including preparing learning environments and supporting children’s development through play.

The campaign focuses on presenting a more accurate picture of early years careers, demonstrating that the role goes far beyond common misconceptions, requiring creativity, knowledge, care and professionalism.

At Happy Days, apprenticeships are a key part of developing future talent within the sector. By combining hands-on experience with structured learning, apprentices are supported to build the skills and confidence needed to progress in their careers.

Happy Days is proud to have contributed to this important campaign and remains committed to promoting early years as a meaningful and rewarding career choice.

Charlotte Goddard talks to Happy Days chief executive Kim Herbert about the nursery business’s
transformation from a collection of small Cornish settings to a group covering the South of the UK

The year 2004 saw the launch of Facebook and the first series of the X Factor on our TV screens. It was also the year in which Happy Days chief executive Kim Herbert joined the nursery group, then a collection of small settings in Cornwall, as HR manager.

Since then, Happy Days has grown to nearly 40 settings across the South from Cardiff to Kent. It has plans to expand even further over the coming years, with investment from Zetland Capital Partners and a £30 million loan from OakNorth Bank. Herbert has been there every step of the way, moving up the ranks from HR manager to operations manager, operations director, managing director and now chief executive.

“My husband and I moved to Cornwall from Hertfordshire 22 years ago in search of a slower pace of life,” recalls Herbert. “I had been working in the hospitality sector, but I saw a lovely advert for a group of nurseries that was looking for an HR manager. So I popped along to meet the founding directors and instantly took a shine to the organisation.”

At that time Happy Days comprised of a number of small community nurseries, mainly on school sites, business parks and hospitals. “I think it’s fair to say the group was behind the curve and required investment,” says Herbert.

In 2008 the group recruited a managing director from within the sector. This appointment was the catalyst for organisational change, which included Herbert’s move into operational management.

“The operational manager has been one of my most favourite roles by far,” she says. “At the time we needed to upskill our managers as so much was done centrally. I learnt so much from them and have the utmost respect for them in what I deem as one of the hardest jobs within the sector.”

In 2011 the group secured investment from private equity firm Livingbridge, which enabled it to change its strategy, consolidating some of its smaller Cornish settings and opening nurseries in more affluent areas along the M5 corridor and the south coast. “We probably underestimated that operational stretch initially, and the pull it can have on your people and resources,” says Herbert, who stepped up to operational director as the group grew to 18 settings.

In 2019 the then managing director decided to retire, and Herbert took over the leadership of the group. It was not all plain sailing. “We needed to look at new investors, we needed a new chairman, we needed refinancing, and then Covid hit, which meant we had to reduce and restructure the team,” she says. “I have to say, in all my career that was the most challenging time.”

Herbert recruited heads of operations, quality and marketing, as well as an acquisitions director. “I have got a very different senior leadership team now, and I’m really privileged with regards to the people that I work with because I trust them, and give them the space to be able to do what they need to do,” explains Herbert. “In the past I have been a very detailed, some might say controlling person, and I think that going through all of that change, revisiting the way we do things, has been a huge learning curve for me and has put the business in a far, far better place.

In 2022 the company secured investment from Zetland Capital and has expanded, both through acquisition and organically, to reach a portfolio of 39 nurseries, with several more in the pipeline. Recent acquisitions include Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group in West Sussex, and Junior Childcare, a group of four nurseries in Kent.

The group is currently opening a purpose-built setting Boorley Green in Hampshire, and is investing in expanding existing nurseries. “By summer 2026, we will probably have 47 or more settings with a plan to continue to grow,” Herbert says.

While acquisitions become part of the Happy Days family, they maintain their own brand. “We look at each acquisition on a case-by-case basis,” explains Herbert. “In most cases, you absolutely would not change their brand – they’re part of that local community. But sometimes, the team want to make that change.”

Whether Happy Days-branded or not, all new nurseries are quickly aligned with the group’s key policies and practices, and brought onto the Famly digital platform. New nurseries also adopt Happy Days’ SHINE values, standing for ‘support, honest, inspire, nurture, empower’.

Maintaining quality and consistency can be tricky in an expanding group. Happy Days puts in a lot of work to ensure quality provision is at the heart of its offering. A bank of experienced support managers are ready to step in to support long periods of absence, or to be a bridge between one manager leaving and another being recruited. Support managers are also available to ‘buddy up’ with new managers, especially after an acquisition. Happy Days has an experienced group of operations managers who work alongside quality managers to support nursery teams, visit settings and observe practice.

“We have a high number of central operational and quality assurance staff considering the number of nurseries,” says Herbert. “If we were not growing, the ratio might be different, but we have to ensure both our existing and acquired nurseries maintain high quality.”

Nurseries are constantly monitored with each department highlighting those settings which may require additional support and weekly acquisition meetings are held to discuss the harmonisation of nurseries. “As an executive leadership team and as a board we meet on a monthly basis to discuss group progress and priorities,” says Herbert.

Staff training is essential to ensure compliance and maintaining quality. In 2026 all the nurseries in the group will have two in-service training (inset) days, when nurseries close on a weekday allowing staff to come together for training without giving up a weekend. “Some of our acquisitions already had inset days, so that’s something that we’ve rolled out across the group,” says Herbert. “We haven’t yet had any pushback from parents on that, so we will see how it goes.”

Herbert believes one of the necessary traits of a leader, particularly in the early years sector, is resilience. “In an ever-changing sector, leaders need to stay on top of changes in this highly regulated sector,” she says. “Change is constant, and you need to find a way to stay abreast of developments, while keeping the children and colleagues at the centre of everything that we do every single day,”

Herbert also has concerns around school-based nurseries, questioning whether schools are the best place for the very youngest children. “I think the government has good intention, but are schools set up appropriately?” she asks. “We also have to ensure that this policy is not destabilising our existing provision, exacerbating the workforce challenge and leaving the sector worse off.”

Another challenge is navigating the extended government funding, mainly the lack of consistency across government departments and local authorities. “This has been a huge but necessary distraction for us within Happy Days as we continue to operate across more areas,” says Herbert. “While we are delighted that more children are given the opportunity of a better start in life, there has to be a more consistent approach and better collaboration with the sector.”

Herbert’s journey as head of Happy Days has been eventful. “I remember sitting in this room five years ago during Covid, and thinking how am I going to pay the staff ?” she says. “I look back now and it’s like night and day. I’m really proud of my team, what we have achieved, and the journey that we’re on. I’m looking forward to 2026.”

Supporting School Readiness Across Happy Days Nurseries

Happy Days Nurseries is delighted to announce the start of the 2026 Positive Transition to School Programme across all settings, supporting preschool children as they prepare for the exciting move into full-time education.

Starting next week, the 16-week programme will be embedded into daily practice, ensuring a consistent and structured approach to developing school readiness skills for every child taking the next step in their learning journey.

The Positive Transition to School Programme is designed to help children build confidence, independence, and the essential skills required for a smooth transition to school. Through consistent daily routines, continuous supervision, and the implementation of the Happy Days curriculum, children are supported to develop key foundations in communication, social interaction, problem-solving, and self-care.

Key elements of the programme include:

• Daily structured routines to mirror aspects of school life
• Continuous adult support and guided learning
• Opportunities to develop independence and self-help skills
• Activities that promote communication and social interaction
• A focus on confidence, resilience, and curiosity

Supporting Preschool Children and Their Families

The programme is specifically designed for preschool children who will be transitioning to school in September. Over the 16-week period, children will be gently guided through experiences that promote curiosity, resilience, and independence, helping them to feel confident and secure as they approach this important milestone.

To support families throughout the journey, road maps will be available at reception to help parents track their child’s progress week by week. In addition, weekly emails will be sent to preschool parents of children due to start school in September, providing guidance, updates, and practical ideas to support learning at home.

At the end of the 16-week programme, children will take part in a graduation ceremony to celebrate their progress and achievements. This special event recognises each child’s journey and marks their readiness to begin school as confident, independent, and curious learners.

Across our settings, Happy Days Thornbury has also created a lovely display to highlight and celebrate the transition journey, reflecting the importance of this milestone for children and families.

Families who would like to learn more about the programme are encouraged to speak with their nursery manager or their child’s key person.

Children at Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School Bath recently enjoyed a hands-on outdoor learning experience after receiving a donation of young trees from The Woodland Trust.

Excited to take part, the children worked together to plant the trees at the front of the nursery where they will grow and develop over time. The activity began with a discussion about trees and nature, where the children shared ideas about what plants need to grow and how we can care for the environment.

With spades in hand, the children dug small holes, carefully placed the trees into the soil and gently covered the roots. They even created their own sign to place beside the planting area, proudly marking the spot as their tree.

Activities like this form an important part of learning at Happy Days. By exploring nature and taking part in real-life experiences, children begin to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Outdoor activities such as digging and planting also support both fine and gross motor development, helping to strengthen muscles, coordination and confidence.

Moments like these encourage curiosity, teamwork and a sense of responsibility for the natural environment. The children are already excited to watch their trees grow and change over time.

As the trees continue to develop, they will serve as a lasting reminder of the children’s contribution and their growing connection with nature.

Happy Days Nurseries is delighted to announce the full relaunch of Boogie Mites across its settings, bringing structured, research-informed music education back into daily practice.

Music as a Core Educational Tool

Music at Happy Days is not viewed as an add-on activity. It is a developmental tool.

Boogie Mites is underpinned by neuroscience and early years research demonstrating that active music-making strengthens neural pathways linked to language acquisition, memory retention, auditory discrimination, motor coordination and emotional regulation.

When children sing, tap, clap or move to rhythm, multiple areas of the brain are activated simultaneously. This integrated stimulation supports stronger cognitive processing and deeper learning.

By relaunching the full programme, Happy Days is reinforcing its commitment to structured, purposeful music education, not just for enjoyment, but for measurable developmental impact.

What the Full Programme Includes

Toddlers

For toddlers, sessions become more interactive and exploratory, including:

• Action songs and movement sequences
• Rhythm matching with instruments
• Simple syllable awareness
• Listening games and sound discrimination

This supports expanding vocabulary, coordination and attention span during a critical developmental window.

Pre-School

In Pre-School rooms, the programme becomes more structured and literacy-focused, incorporating:

• The 25-song School Ready framework
• Syllable segmentation (such as “Let’s Tap a Word”)
• Rhyme and alliteration
• Beat-keeping and pattern recognition
• Turn-taking and group leadership

These skills directly underpin Phase One Letters and Sounds and strengthen early reading readiness.

A Relaunch Energised by Leadership

The relaunch follows a dynamic workshop delivered by the Boogie Mites team at the recent Annual Managers Conference.

Leaders from across the organisation actively participated in rhythm exercises, syllable tapping and high-energy group songs. The session was filled with movement, laughter and genuine enthusiasm, a powerful reminder of how engaging structured music can be at any age.

Managers left the conference motivated and equipped to re-embed the programme with clarity and consistency across their teams.

Boogie Mites Ambassadors in Every Nursery

Each nursery has a trained Boogie Mites Ambassador who champions delivery within their setting.

These ambassadors:

• Model high-quality musical sessions
• Support colleagues in planning and progression
• Ensure age-appropriate differentiation
• Maintain consistency across rooms

This structure ensures that Boogie Mites is not occasional enrichment but an integrated element of everyday learning.

Supporting the Whole Child

The relaunch aligns closely with Happy Days’ educational ethos, supporting children to develop as:

• Strong and confident communicators
• Inquisitive and ambitious thinkers
• Healthy, independent explorers
• Resilient and motivated individuals

Music enhances:

• Listening and attention skills
• Expressive and receptive language
• Confidence in group participation
• Physical coordination and motor control
• Emotional wellbeing and self-regulation

Importantly, Boogie Mites promotes connection over perfection. Children are encouraged to participate enthusiastically rather than perform flawlessly, building intrinsic confidence and joy in learning.

A Commitment to Evidence-Based Practice

By relaunching the full Boogie Mites programme across all age groups, Happy Days is making a clear statement: high-quality early education is active, engaging and rooted in research.

As the programme rolls out across settings, families can expect to see children tapping syllables, marching to beats, leading songs and building the foundations for lifelong learning through rhythm and joy.

We are proud to share that Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools has strengthened its position among the UK’s largest childcare providers, following the publication of Nursery World’s latest Nursery Groups Report.

The report highlights a changing landscape across the early years sector, with a “new order” emerging as growing groups move up the rankings. We are pleased to be recognised as part of this shift, reflecting our continued expansion and long-term commitment to sustainable growth.

Sustained Growth in a Changing Market

Since opening our first nursery in 1991, we have grown steadily over more than three decades. Today, we operate a network of nurseries across the South of England and Wales, supporting thousands of children and families every day.

Our growth has been driven by a careful balance of organic development and well considered acquisitions. By welcoming established settings into Happy Days and opening new nurseries in key locations, we have been able to extend high quality childcare to more communities while maintaining our standards.

Investment Supporting Our Expansion

To support the next phase of our journey, we secured significant growth funding in 2024. This investment has enabled us to accelerate our plans, including acquiring additional nurseries and continuing to invest in our existing settings, environments, and teams.

This funding reflects confidence in our values, our leadership, and our approach to building a strong and resilient organisation.

Maintaining Quality as We Grow

As we expand, our priority remains the same: delivering outstanding care and education for every child. We continue to invest in staff development, training, and wellbeing, ensuring our teams feel supported and empowered in their roles.

Positive feedback from families and strong inspection outcomes reinforce our belief that growth and quality must go hand in hand. Maintaining this balance is central to everything we do.

Looking Ahead

The latest sector report shows increasing consolidation across childcare, with larger groups playing a greater role in shaping the future of early years provision. Our rise in position reflects the strength of our operational model and our clear strategic direction.

With continued investment, experienced leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence, we are well placed to build on our recent progress. As we move into the next phase of our development, we remain focused on expanding responsibly, supporting our communities, and giving every child the best possible start in life.

At Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools, we understand that the first months and years of parenthood can be as overwhelming as they are wonderful. Feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or loss of confidence are more common than many realise, with studies showing that around one in ten new mothers experience postnatal depression within a year of giving birth.

That’s why our nurseries go far beyond childcare. We create spaces where families can connect, communicate and feel supported, emotionally, socially and practically, from the very start of their journey.

Building Bonds Through Music & Movement

Across our nurseries, we offer free Parent & Baby sessions, from baby massage and Stay & Play groups to first aid workshops. These sessions are designed to help parents feel part of a caring community, creating opportunities to meet others, share experiences, and build friendships that last.

Music and movement play a powerful role in this. Research shows that singing, rhythm, and coordinated activity can reduce stress hormones, lift mood, and strengthen bonding between parent and child. Through our Boogie Mites and Let’s Move programmes, we see these benefits every day, when parents and babies sing, sway, or tap together, their breathing synchronises, stress levels drop, and confidence grows.

This approach aligns beautifully with our Where Children Shine curriculum, particularly our focus on nurturing Strong & Confident Communicators and Healthy, Independent Explorers. Early musical experiences support emotional expression, language development, and social confidence, the very foundations of lifelong wellbeing.

A Connected Start to Nursery Life

We know that starting nursery is a huge milestone, for both children and parents. That’s why our settling-in process is completely tailored to each family. We start sessions around six to eight weeks before your child’s start date, taking the time to build familiarity and trust at your child’s own pace.

Every child is also introduced to their Key Person, a dedicated practitioner who provides consistency, comfort, and a secure base from which your child can explore and learn. This relationship helps both children and parents feel confident and reassured during transitions.

And communication doesn’t stop at the nursery door. Our famly app acts as a secure digital hub, keeping parents up to date with their child’s daily activities, meals, naps, and milestones. Parents can receive photos, videos, and developmental observations in real time, while also sharing their own updates from home. It’s an easy, two-way partnership that ensures families remain connected, supported, and informed every step of the way.

The app also features a Parent Hub, a space full of practical guidance, early learning ideas, and wellbeing resources designed to help families continue their child’s development at home.

Community, Connection & Wellbeing

At Happy Days, our nurseries act as true community hubs. We know that parenting can sometimes feel isolating, so we work hard to create networks of support and friendship. From New Mums & Dads Facebook groups in Bristol and Cornwall to family events, open days, and coffee mornings, we offer plenty of opportunities for parents to connect, share advice, and find reassurance.

Many of our nurseries also host charity events, food bank collections, and clothing swaps, helping families support one another and give back to the local community. This sense of belonging benefits everyone, families, children, and the communities around them.

Helping Families Shine Together

At Happy Days, we believe every family deserves to feel supported, seen, and heard. Whether it’s through our parent app, music sessions, community events, or tailored settling-in support, everything we do is designed to help families feel confident and connected and to help children truly shine.

👉 Find your local Happy Days nursery by clicking here and explore our free Parent & Baby sessions today.

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/