Parenthood brings joy, love, and discovery, but it can also bring worry, exhaustion, and emotional overwhelm. Many parents experience feelings of anxiety or sadness at some stage in their early parenting journey. These emotions are completely normal, but when they persist or start to affect everyday life, it’s important to seek support and remember you’re not alone.

Understanding postnatal depression and anxiety

It’s estimated that around 1 in 10 mothers and 1 in 20 fathers experience postnatal depression. It often appears within the first year after birth, but symptoms can surface later too, especially during key milestones such as returning to work or preparing for nursery.

Postnatal depression can look different for everyone, but common signs include:

• Persistent sadness or emptiness
• Loss of interest or enjoyment
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or anxiety

Postnatal anxiety often overlaps, bringing worries that feel hard to switch off, “Am I doing enough?”, “What if something happens?”, or “Will my child be okay without me?”. These thoughts can become especially strong when parents begin thinking about handing their child’s care to someone else for the first time.

The emotional leap of starting nursery

Transitioning from full-time care at home to nursery life can be one of the biggest emotional milestones for parents. Even if you know your child will be safe and cared for, it’s completely natural to feel anxious, this is an act of love, after all.

You might find yourself worrying about:

• How your child will settle without you
• Whether they’ll eat or nap properly
• How they’ll be comforted if they’re upset
• If they’ll form secure bonds with new adults

These are universal worries. Every loving parent feels them to some degree. The goal isn’t to eliminate these feelings, but to learn ways to manage them compassionately.

Ways to soothe parental anxiety

Talk openly about how you feel
Share your thoughts with someone you trust, a partner, friend, GP, or health visitor. Speaking your worries aloud can make them easier to understand and manage.

Create calm, predictable routines
Children and parents find comfort in routine. Simple daily rhythms, like consistent nap times or quiet morning rituals, can bring a sense of control and calm.

Practice short separations
If you’re preparing for nursery, start with brief separations. A walk while a partner or relative looks after your child can help both of you build confidence gradually.

Stay connected, but present
Many nurseries now use secure family apps to share updates, photos, and milestones. Use these to stay informed, but try to give yourself permission to step back and trust the process.

Look after yourself, too
Small acts of self-care, a cup of tea, a walk, a good chat, can make a big difference. Rest is not indulgent; it’s essential for emotional balance.

Normalise your feelings with others
Join local parent groups, online communities, or baby sessions where you can meet others in the same boat. Simply hearing “me too” can lift an enormous weight.

Where to find professional support

If your feelings of anxiety or sadness persist or become overwhelming, please reach out for professional help. Early intervention makes a real difference.

• GP or Health Visitor: Your first point of contact for assessment and support.
• NHS Talking Therapies: Free, confidential support for anxiety and depression.
• Mind (mind.org.uk): Information and emotional support.
• PANDAS Foundation (pandasfoundation.org.uk): Dedicated support for perinatal mental health.
• DadPad App & Dads Matter UK: Tailored guidance for fathers and co-parents.

Final thoughts

Every parent’s journey is different. Whether you’re navigating the fog of postnatal depression, the jitters of separation anxiety, or simply the ups and downs of new parenthood, remember, your feelings are valid, temporary, and supported by a community of others who understand.

You are not alone.
You are doing enough.
And you’re doing better than you think.

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools is proud to have been recognised in the 2025 Cornwall LTD Awards, part of Grant Thornton’s respected national programme celebrating the UK’s most successful privately owned companies.

This year marks the launch of the first Cornwall LTD report, an in-depth exploration of the county’s top 100 privately owned businesses, assessed by both revenue and EBITDA. The report highlights the strength, resilience, and diversity of the region’s business community — from heritage-led industries to forward-thinking enterprises shaping Cornwall’s economic future.

Cornwall’s top 100 companies collectively generated £3 billion in turnover, supported nearly 20,000 jobs, and contributed £233 million in EBITDA, demonstrating their vital contribution to both the regional and national economy. The 2025 analysis also revealed a 13.1% increase in turnover and an 8.2% rise in average remuneration, emphasising growth paired with meaningful investment in people.

The consumer sector led the way with more than 40 companies contributing £1.3 billion in turnover, alongside strong performance from the manufacturing and industrial sectors. Across the board, the report celebrates organisations that exemplify agility, ambition, and excellence — qualities that Happy Days is delighted to be recognised for.

Nick and Supriya, who led the research and delivery of the Cornwall LTD campaign, will be visiting in the new year to present the award in person.

Speaking about the achievement, Happy Days shared:
“We are honoured to be recognised among Cornwall’s top-performing private companies. This acknowledgment reflects the dedication of our incredible teams and our continued commitment to providing exceptional early years education and care across the South West.”

The Cornwall LTD report provides a benchmark for business excellence and a valuable insight into Cornwall’s economic landscape and Happy Days is proud to be part of this exciting journey.

Ready to try baby massage at home? In this hands-on episode, Alice and internationally respected expert Peter Walker guide you through exactly how to begin, safely, confidently, and without overthinking it.

Peter shares everything parents need to know, including:• When to start baby massage• How much oil to use and the best types to choose• The ideal environment (and how to make it work in real life)• How to read your baby’s cues and know when they’re ready• Peter’s recommended rhythms, sequences, and touch techniques• How to use breath, pace, and gentle pressure to help your baby relax• Signs your child is enjoying the massage (and when they’ve had enough)• How massage can become part of your daily routine, from bath time to bedtime

Whether you’re a first-time parent, practitioner or simply curious, this episode is full of practical, reassuring advice from one of the most experienced baby-massage teachers in the world.

Baby massage isn’t just soothing, it’s science. In this episode, Alice is joined by world-leading expert Peter Walker, author and founder of Developmental Baby Massage, whose techniques are now taught by over 25,000 teachers worldwide. With more than 50 years of experience, Peter breaks down why gentle touch is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s emotional and physical development.

Discover:• The science behind baby massage and how it supports the brain and nervous system• How touch helps with emotional regulation, motor development, and early bonding• Why Peter’s motto — “relax the belly, relax the baby” — is rooted in real physiology• How massage can support children after a traumatic birth• Long-term developmental benefits, from building key muscles to supporting tummy time• Answers to the top FAQs parents ask at Happy Days Nurseries

If you’re curious about the real, research-backed impact of baby massage, this episode is the perfect place to start.

Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools expands to 39 settings with acquisition of Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group

Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools is delighted to announce the next exciting step in our ambitious growth plan with the acquisition of Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group. This expansion brings our total number of settings to 39, including our nursery in the final stages of construction, Boorley Green.

Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group comprises two well-established nurseries in Haywards Heath: Primrose House Nursery and Snowdrop House Nursery. Primrose House is located in a bright, spacious detached building in the heart of Haywards Heath. Snowdrop House is nestled within Franklands Village, positioned beside a beautiful park with open fields and woodland, and features a purpose-built, secure play area and dedicated baby garden.

Both nurseries share our values and commitment to providing children with the very best care and education. Their ethos reflects a deep belief in nurturing independent, motivated learners within a safe, stimulating, and well-resourced environment, an approach that aligns seamlessly with our own. We are pleased to confirm that the existing staff teams will remain in place, and we look forward to working alongside them to support children to become confident, curious, and enthusiastic learners for life.

Commenting on the acquisition, Kim Herbert, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group into the Happy Days family. Their high-quality care and education complement our own vision of giving every child the best start in life. We look forward to spending time in our new nurseries, getting to know our new colleagues and families, and learning more about their communities.”

Carole Ann Benson, outgoing owner of Snowdrop House Montessori Group, said, “It’s been my great honour and pleasure to run nursery schools for 30 years. My husband and I decided it was the right time to step away and fulfil other lifetime ambitions. Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery and Primrose House Montessori Nursery have excellent reputations in West Sussex, and we wished to pass them on to a group with an amazing reputation. Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools has the same high standards of childcare and education as we do. I am confident that the nurseries will go from strength to strength under their leadership. I will greatly miss the nurseries and my amazing team.”

Anyone interested in discussing opportunities to sell their nursery, or developers seeking a trusted nursery partner, is invited to contact:
Kevin Higgs: kevin.higgs@happydaysnurseries.com
Kim Herbert: kim.herbert@happydaysnurseries.com
Marcia Viccars: marcia.viccars@happydaysnurseries.com

We are thrilled to share that Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School in Boorley Green is nearing completion and on track to officially open its doors in January. The build has progressed beautifully, and our brand-new nursery is almost ready to welcome children into a warm, inspiring and purpose-built learning environment.

To mark this exciting milestone, we are inviting local families to step inside and experience the nursery for themselves throughout December, ahead of our January opening.

December Small-Group Tours – Limited Availability

For the first time since construction began, families will be able to explore the fully furnished nursery, including all age-group rooms and shared spaces. Our small-group tours provide the perfect opportunity to:

• Take a guided walk through the new nursery

• Meet members of our wonderful team

• Learn more about our approach to childcare and early education

• Ask any questions you may have ahead of enrolment

Tour dates and times are limited, so early booking is strongly recommended. Simply select your preferred slot via the link on our event page.

Festive Open House – 22nd December

In addition to our scheduled tours, we are also excited to host a special Christmas Open House on Monday 22nd December. Families are invited to drop in, enjoy some festive fun, take a look around the nursery, and meet the team in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. This is a wonderful chance to celebrate the season while getting a final preview before we open in January.

We can’t wait to welcome you

Whether you join us for a small-group tour or the Christmas Open House, we look forward to meeting you and sharing what makes Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School such a special place for children to learn, play and grow.

Keep an eye on our website and social media for further updates — and don’t forget to book your tour soon to secure your place!

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools, one of the UK’s leading early years education providers, has secured a £30 million growth funding facility from OakNorth Bank to accelerate its expansion across southern England.

The new facility will support Happy Days’ strategic plan to grow from its current 36 nurseries, double the size of its portfolio just three years ago to more than 43 sites by early 2026 with a long-term vision to reach 60–80 nurseries in the coming years.

The capital will be used to acquire and open new nurseries, upgrade existing facilities, and strengthen operational capabilities, enabling the group to meet rising demand for high-quality early years education and childcare.

Kim Herbert, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Days Nurseries, said:

“This funding marks a pivotal moment for Happy Days. With 36 nurseries already established and strong demand for our services, we are now well positioned to accelerate our growth and achieve our goal of operating more than 43 nurseries by early 2026 with a long-term vision to reach 60-80 nurseries in the coming years. I want to recognise the outstanding role Toni Kilby, our CFO, played in leading this funding process. Her expertise and commitment were central to securing this facility and building a strong partnership with OakNorth Bank, which will support our expansion journey.”

Toni Kilby, Chief Financial Officer of Happy Days Nurseries, added:

“The funding process was rigorous and thorough, but it provided a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our business model and long-term vision. OakNorth’s team approached the partnership with professionalism and a collaborative spirit, and together we built a strong foundation for future growth. We look forward to working closely with OakNorth as we continue to expand and deliver outstanding early years education across the UK.”

Deepesh Thakrar, Managing Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, continued: “Happy Days is a standout operator in the UK childcare sector, high-quality, well-run, and delivering on its ambition to build a scaled, high-performing early years education platform. The management team has a clear strategy, and with Zetland’s backing, they’re executing it with discipline and pace. The recent acquisition of Edward Bears Nursery in Gloucestershire reflects the group’s continues commitment to quality, scale, and integration efficiency. We’re pleased to support them with a flexible facility that provides certainty and room to grow.”

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.