A Week of Food, Fun & Family at Happy Days Nurseries

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools are gearing up for a very special event – Activities Week: Food from Around the World, running from Monday 6th – Friday 10th October 2025.

This exciting celebration will bring together children, families and nursery teams to enjoy a whole host of activities inspired by food, culture, and wellbeing. Think cultural food festivals, sensory spice play, creative crafts, kitchen discos, outdoor mindfulness walks and so much more.

But Activities Week is about more than just fun – it’s also an opportunity for families to get a real feel for life at Happy Days. Parents can:

• Meet the dedicated practitioners who care for and inspire children every day
• Explore the nursery environment and discover how play supports learning
• Chat through everything from settling-in sessions to funded childcare hours

To make the week even more special, families who visit during Activities Week will be able to enrol at their chosen Happy Days nursery without paying the enrolment fee – a great saving for those considering childcare.

📌 How to book

To keep things simple, each nursery has its own Activities Week calendar.

• Head to our Find a Nursery page.
• Enter your postcode to see your nearest Happy Days nursery.
• Scroll down to the Events section on that nursery’s page.
• Select Activities Week: Food from Around the World.
• Click the calendar to choose your session and confirm your place.

We can’t wait to welcome families for a week filled with food, fun and community spirit! 🌈✨

Last Thursday, we were delighted to host our very first community event at Boorley Green Community Centre, allowing families and local residents to meet the team behind the brand-new Happy Days Nursery and Pre-School, which is currently under development at Boorley Green.

Set to open in January 2026, the nursery will provide a vibrant, nurturing, and inspiring environment where children can learn, play, and thrive. The event was designed to engage with parents who are considering a nursery or pre-school place for their child and to give the community a chance to learn more about what Happy Days has to offer.

Throughout the day, families were able to:

• Discover the Happy Days Curriculum, which supports every child’s unique learning journey
• Explore the exciting development plans for the new nursery building
• Find out about the government funding schemes available to help with childcare costs
• Learn more about career opportunities at Happy Days

The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with our team on hand to answer questions, share insights, and talk parents through the journey of securing a place for their child. We were thrilled to meet so many families who are interested in joining our new setting and to receive such positive feedback from the local community.

This was the first of a series of information events we’ll be holding in the run-up to opening. They are a fantastic way for families to get to know our team, ask questions, and feel confident about the care and education their child will receive at Happy Days Boorley Green.

📅 We’re excited to announce that our next information event will take place on Tuesday 4th November at Botley Grange Hotel. Further details of this event will follow shortly.

We look forward to continuing to build strong connections within the Boorley Green community and can’t wait to welcome families to our brand-new nursery and pre-school in January 2026.

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Charlton Heights Shortlisted for Community Nursery of the Year

We are proud to announce that Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, Charlton Heights, Bristol has been shortlisted as a finalist for Community Nursery of the Year at the 2025 Nursery Management Today (NMT) Awards.

Since opening its doors in 2023, Charlton Heights has placed community at the very heart of everything it does. Families benefit from free weekly Stay & Play sessions, tailored advice on everything from toilet training to school applications, and ongoing support with EHCPs and SEN funding.

The nursery is a familiar face at local events, from Charlton Wood Primary Academy’s Christmas Fair and summer picnics in the park to hosting its own Community Christmas Fair in support of St Peter’s Hospice. Staff and families regularly rally behind causes such as food bank collections and Easter egg donations, while children take part in community initiatives like litter picking, planting for pollinators, and visits to care homes, fostering empathy and intergenerational connections.

Charlton Heights also leads the way in sustainability, achieving the Eco Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction in 2025. Projects such as a Clothes Swap Shop, free nappy donations, and plans for a food larder ensure families feel supported while children learn the importance of protecting the planet.

Manager and team are thrilled to see their work recognised:
“We want Charlton Heights to be more than just a nursery – a hub where families, schools, businesses and charities come together to support children and each other. This nomination is a celebration of the whole community.”

Happy Days is delighted to announce that Bella, Apprentice at Verwood, has been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious Nursery Management Today (NMT) Awards 2025.

At just 17 years old, Bella is completing her Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship with Realise, having joined Happy Days straight from school at the age of 16. From her very first introduction at an open day—where she confidently declared her ambition to one day own her own nursery—it was clear Bella had the passion, drive, and dedication to make a real impact in early years.

Since starting her apprenticeship, Bella has shown exceptional warmth, creativity, and a natural ability to connect with children. She consistently goes above and beyond, contributing ideas for activities, supporting her colleagues, and taking initiative to plan and lead group learning experiences. Her work ethic, eagerness to learn, and professionalism have set her apart as a true role model for others beginning their career in childcare.

In just eight months, Bella has already exceeded her apprenticeship progress targets by an impressive 23%, putting her on track to complete her qualification ahead of schedule. She has demonstrated strong knowledge in safeguarding, communication, child development, and leadership, applying her learning directly to practice. Her colleagues describe her as “a superstar” and “an asset to the nursery,” while her assessor praises her as “an outstanding apprentice” who is a joy to teach.

Bella’s nomination celebrates not only her achievements so far, but also her bright future in early years education. With her passion, commitment, and talent, Bella is sure to go far in her career.

Hollies Deputy Manager Sam Tanner Shortlisted for Deputy Nursery Manager of the Year at NMT Awards

Happy Days is proud to announce that Sam Tanner, Deputy Manager at The Hollies Day Nursery in Cardiff, has been named a finalist for Deputy Nursery Manager of the Year at the prestigious Nursery Management Today (NMT) Awards 2025.

Sam is recognised for her creativity, inclusivity, and strong leadership, which have made a lasting impact on both children and staff. Known for her imaginative storytelling and inspiring activity planning, Sam creates rich learning opportunities that spark curiosity and build confidence. Her expertise in supporting children with additional needs has also been highly commended, with tailored strategies that ensure every child can thrive.

As a mentor and leader, Sam provides ongoing support and guidance for her team through supervision, peer observations, and day-to-day encouragement. Colleagues describe her as approachable, dependable, and inspiring—always willing to step in, whether it’s managing compliance, adjusting rotas, or even tackling DIY tasks to keep the nursery environment safe and welcoming.

The Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) has praised The Hollies for its warm, inclusive environment and strong leadership, with Sam playing a central role in driving this success. Parents and colleagues alike describe her as “the backbone of the nursery” and a true role model whose dedication shines through in every aspect of her work.

Sam’s nomination is a celebration of her passion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to providing the very best start in life for children at The Hollies. The winners of the NMT Nursery Awards 2025 will be announced later this year.

Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School in Droitwich is celebrating after being shortlisted as a finalist for Nursery Team of the Year at the prestigious Nursery Management Today (NMT) Awards 2025.

The recognition follows the nursery’s recent Outstanding Ofsted inspection in August, which praised the team’s expert knowledge, care, and responsiveness. Inspectors highlighted the bespoke curriculum, strong parent partnerships, and inclusive, nurturing culture that ensures children thrive.

What sets the Droitwich team apart is their collaborative and child-centred approach. Practitioners work closely together to observe, assess, and plan for every child’s unique needs, ensuring learning is meaningful, playful, and responsive. From babies building early communication skills to pre-schoolers preparing confidently for school, the team consistently creates opportunities for children to flourish.

Parents have shared heartfelt praise for the nursery, describing it as “an extended family” where children are safe, supported, and inspired to learn. One parent commented: “Our son has flourished in their care—his confidence, communication, and curiosity have all developed so much, and it’s clear how much he enjoys being part of the setting.”

Sam, Operations Manager at Happy Days, added:
“The Droitwich team are truly special. Their passion for the children is obvious the moment you walk in, and they continually go above and beyond for the children, families, and each other. It’s no surprise they’ve been recognised nationally as one of the very best teams in the sector.”

The winners of the NMT Nursery Awards 2025 will be announced later this year at a ceremony celebrating excellence across the early years sector.

Happy Days Treloweth Nursery in Redruth is celebrating after achieving a ‘Good’ rating across all areas in its latest Ofsted inspection, carried out on 5 August 2025.

Inspectors praised the nursery for its warm, home-from-home environment, where children feel safe, secure, and excited to learn. Staff were commended for knowing children and their families well, building strong relationships that support both learning and wellbeing.

The report highlighted the nursery’s engaging curriculum, which prepares children for each stage of development. From babies learning new words through clear communication, to pre-schoolers building confidence ahead of starting school, staff were recognised for creating meaningful learning opportunities. Children were described as “curious learners” who show high levels of concentration and creativity.

Inspectors also noted the nursery’s focus on independence, with children cutting fruit, pouring drinks, and serving their own meals. Physical development was another strength, with outdoor yoga, ball games, and role play activities encouraging confidence, balance, and teamwork. Parents praised the nursery for its effective settling-in process, strong communication, and supportive staff.

Nursery Manager Jo said:
“We are delighted with this Ofsted outcome. It reflects the hard work, passion, and commitment of our dedicated team. We are proud to provide a nurturing environment where every child can flourish, and we will continue to build on this success to ensure the very best start in life for all children at Treloweth.”

Situated within the grounds of Treloweth CP School, the nursery has recently undergone a major refurbishment, including a brand-new baby room and enhanced outdoor garden. With free-flow access to natural play areas, a mud kitchen, growing zone, and outdoor classroom, the setting offers children rich opportunities to explore and learn.

You can read the full Ofsted report by clicking here.

Toddletown Day Nursery in Godalming is celebrating after being named Day Nursery of the Year at the 2025 Prestige Awards.

The awards, which recognise outstanding businesses across the UK, praised Toddletown for its service excellence, employee satisfaction, customer feedback, and dedication to providing high-quality childcare and education.

Karen Fish, Nursery Manager at Toddletown, proudly collected the award on behalf of the team. She said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received this recognition. At Toddletown, we are passionate about creating a home-from-home environment where children can learn, grow and thrive. This award is a real testament to the hard work, commitment and care shown by our incredible team every single day.”

Based in Farncombe, just a short walk from Godalming town centre, Toddletown offers families a warm and welcoming nursery environment. With an extensive range of learning resources – from role play and arts and crafts to science, books and puzzles – the nursery is designed to inspire children’s creativity, curiosity and confidence.

Children of all ages enjoy opportunities to explore the seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. From the light and airy baby room, complete with sensory spaces and cosy reading corners, to exciting play areas for toddlers and preschoolers, the nursery is equipped to support every stage of development.

The judges at the Prestige Awards commended Toddletown for going above and beyond in its approach to childcare, with a focus on nurturing, supporting and inspiring children while providing families with a reliable and high-quality service.

Toddletown is now taking bookings for 2026 and looks forward to welcoming new families to its award-winning nursery community. You can book a tour here.