Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School at Longhedge, Salisbury is proud to announce that it has been rated ‘Outstanding’ in its first ever Ofsted inspection since opening its doors in January 2023. The report highlights the nursery’s exceptional care, high-quality teaching, and its commitment to children’s development and well-being.

Located in the heart of Longhedge Village, just off the A345, the purpose-built nursery has become a central part of the local community. Led by Nursery Manager Julia Gale, the setting has quickly established a reputation for excellence.

The Ofsted report, published following the inspection on 1 April 2025, praises the nursery for creating a “caring and well-organised setting” where “children are happy, motivated and highly engaged.” Inspectors noted the strong relationships formed between staff and children, with babies described as “thriving” and “smiling and laughing as they sing together.”

The report commends the nursery’s ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum, noting that children are “highly motivated, engaged and focused on the tasks that staff challenge them with.” Inspectors were particularly impressed with how staff encourage empathy, independence, and emotional literacy among children of all ages.

We are absolutely thrilled with this Outstanding outcome from our very first Ofsted inspection,” said Julia Gale, Nursery Manager. “It’s a proud moment for our team, who work tirelessly to create a warm, inclusive, and inspiring environment for every child. Seeing the positive impact we make every day, and having that recognised by Ofsted, is incredibly rewarding.”

Children’s behaviour was described as “exemplary,” and the nursery was recognised for its emphasis on emotional development and the promotion of future learning skills. Staff were applauded for inspiring children to develop confidence, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, with activities tailored precisely to their developmental needs.

The nursery also received praise for its strong community links, including visits to the local library and care home, and the recent launch of a community library outside the nursery—helping children understand their place in and contributions to the wider community.

Operations Director Fiona Blackwell commented:
“We are absolutely thrilled with this outcome. To achieve ‘Outstanding’ in our very first inspection is a testament to the passion, dedication, and care shown by our incredible team every single day. We are so proud to serve the Longhedge community and will continue striving to offer the very best start in life for every child.” Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School Longhedge continues to welcome families and is committed to maintaining the high standards recognised by Ofsted.

Happy Days at Longhedge, Salisbury is a high end, purpose built nursery which opened in January 2023 and has been equipped to the highest standard to support children’s age and stages of development and learning.

Contact Us

Phone: 01722 510 009
Email: salisbury@happydaysnurseries.com

Happy Days Nursery and Pre-School in Lyde Green is delighted to announce it has received a Good rating following its latest Ofsted inspection, affirming the nursery’s strong commitment to high-quality early years education and outstanding care for children and families in the local community.

The report praised the nursery for its warm and nurturing environment, where staff attentively support children and foster strong bonds. Children were seen arriving happily and confidently, reflecting the safe and stimulating atmosphere created by the dedicated team.

Samantha Richardson, Operations Manager at Happy Days Lyde Green, expressed her pride:
“This fantastic result is a reflection of the passion, commitment and professionalism of our wonderful team. We are so proud to be recognised for providing a rich, inclusive learning environment where children are supported to flourish.”

Happy Days Lyde Green is a purpose built, high end nursery located at the heart of the Lyde Green community, next to a primary school and easily accessible by public transport. With all rooms on one level and an extensive outdoor garden, it offers the perfect setting for children to explore, play, and learn.

The Ofsted report highlighted how staff promote children’s curiosity through exciting activities, such as outdoor science experiments and creative exploration. Children are encouraged to be independent, resilient, and responsible – learning to pour drinks, manage their belongings, and take pride in their achievements.

Inspectors commended the nursery for:

• Strong focus on communication and language, with rich ‘communication hotspots’ and engaging sing-and-sign sessions.
• Inclusive support for children with SEND, with carefully planned development strategies.
• Excellent outdoor provision, including yoga sessions, composting projects, and gardening activities.
• Close partnerships with parents, supported through open days, daily feedback, and a structured school readiness programme.

The report also recognised the nursery’s ongoing commitment to professional development and safeguarding, ensuring that all children are cared for in a secure and supportive environment.

Happy Days Lyde Green looks forward to building on this success and continuing to provide exceptional early years education for the community.

Lyde Green is a high end, purpose-built setting with exceptional indoor and outdoor provision for children aged 0–5 years. We offer high-quality childcare in a free-flow environment where children can have fun, thrive, and learn.

Contact Us

Phone: 01174 404 639
Email: lydegreen@happydaysnurseries.com

At Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School Verwood, we recognise the importance of music and movement in early childhood development — and what better occasion to celebrate this than International Dance Day.

To mark the day, the children began with a delightful concert in the garden, proudly performing some of their favourite songs while dressed in imaginative costumes. Throughout the morning, they explored making their own music using a variety of instruments and action songs, expressing themselves through rhythm and sound.

One of the highlights of the day was our circle songs session, where children joined together to practise coordinated movements as a group. This not only encouraged physical development and coordination but also nurtured social interaction and a shared sense of enjoyment.

Music and dance play a key role in our approach to learning. As part of our Early Years Curriculum – Where Children Shine, we support children’s development through creative, engaging activities. We also enhance our musical experiences through specialist programmes such as Boogie Mites and Musical Matters, both of which contribute to language development, rhythm, and motor skills.

It was a joyful day full of energy, creativity, and laughter — a true reflection of how we nurture and celebrate every child’s potential at Happy Days Verwood.

Verwood Nursery is a brand-new, purpose-built setting with exceptional indoor and outdoor provision for children aged 0–5 years. We offer high-quality childcare in a free-flow environment where children can have fun, thrive, and learn.

Contact Us

Phone: 01202 806 004
Email: verwood@happydaysnurseries.com

Di and the team at Happy Days Nursery in Summercourt were delighted to recently welcome local Health Visitor Kerry Ducket to the setting, as part of a growing initiative to strengthen community partnerships and better support families in the area.

Kerry has been making use of the nursery’s meeting room to carry out essential health checks, offer parental support, and help connect families with local resources and services. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to ensuring children and their families receive the guidance and care they need in the earliest stages of life.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Di, Nursery Manager at Happy Days Summercourt. “By working together with professionals like Kerry, we’re able to offer families even more support right here where they already feel safe and welcome.”

Health visitors like Kerry play a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of young children and their families, and Happy Days Summercourt is proud to be a hub where such important connections can flourish.

This partnership is just one example of how Happy Days is committed to building strong, local networks that benefit children, parents, and the wider community alike.

Contact Us

Phone: 01872 510 247
Email: summercourt@happydaysnurseries.com

This week at Happy Days Verwood, we launched a fun and educational sunflower growing competition as part of our “Let’s Grow” project. Each nursery room has planted their own sunflower seeds, with the children engaging in conversations about what plants need to grow big and strong.

As part of the competition, the children took a special walk to Verwood House Care Home, where they delivered sunflower growing kits for the residents. This heart warming gesture allowed the generations to connect and share in the joy of planting, with a wonderful chance to spread some sunshine throughout the community.

The competition is open to everyone! Parents and caregivers can join in by picking up a free sunflower growing kit from the foyer before reception. It’s the perfect opportunity to get the whole family involved in the fun — and we can’t wait to see whose sunflower will grow the tallest!

A local parent shared their excitement about the project: “Our sunflowers are growing, and fast! Thank you, Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School. George and Kimberly are loving watching them.” We look forward to seeing more of your sunflowers bloom!

Let the growing begin!

Nestled in the heart of Verwood, we are close to local schools and have strong connections with the local community. Our team brings a wide range of experience and knowledge to ensure the SHINE values – Support, Honesty, Inspire, Nurture, and Empower – are at the heart of everything we do and provide for our children and families.

Verwood Nursery is a brand-new, purpose-built setting with exceptional indoor and outdoor provision for children aged 0–5 years. We offer high-quality childcare in a free-flow environment where children can have fun, thrive, and learn.

Contact Us

Phone: 01202 806 004
Email: verwood@happydaysnurseries.com

We’re thrilled to share the latest update on our brand-new Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School in Boorley Green, which is on track to open in early 2025. The build is progressing wonderfully, and we’re delighted to give our future families and the local community a glimpse into how things are coming together.

Construction Highlights So Far:

• The brickwork is well underway
• Internal walls are going up
• The roof is fully tiled and the building is now weatherproof

It’s fantastic to see the vision for this space becoming a reality, step by step.

As we move closer to opening, we’ll be hosting a series of information events this autumn. These will be great opportunities to meet the team, learn more about our approach to early years education, and ask any questions you may have. Full details will be shared soon — watch this space!

In the meantime, why not get a feel for what a Happy Days nursery looks like? Click here to watch a video tour of our recently opened nursery in Salisbury and see what you can expect at Boorley Green.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far, we’re excited to be building something special for families in Boorley Green.

Contact Us

Phone: 0800 783 3431
Email: enquiries@happydaysnurseries.com

Last week, the Adventurers at Happy Days Nursery Verwood had a busy and exciting time exploring activities inspired by the beloved book ‘Handa’s Surprise’.

The children embraced their roles as ‘Strong and Confident Communicators’ while creating stunning African animal portraits inspired by the book and real-life animal images. Through various forms of mark-making, including painting and drawing, the children brought these beautiful animal masterpieces to life. This activity is part of our Awe and Wonder Book Club programme, where children use their knowledge and creativity to bring the stories they love into the world around them.

In addition to their artistic skills, the Adventurers demonstrated their ‘Healthy and Independent Explorer’ traits during a fun Let’s Move activity. The children balanced bean bags on their heads, mimicking Handa’s basket, which led to a friendly competition to see who could balance the most bean bags. The laughter and excitement filled the room as the children showed off their impressive balancing skills!

The highlight of the week was the ‘Let’s Cook’ interactive experience. The Adventurers chopped up a variety of exotic fruits, exploring textures, smells, and tastes. As the story of ‘Handa’s Surprise’ unfolded, each child had the opportunity to try the fruit that was being taken by the animals in the book, from pineapples to mangoes and bananas, expanding their understanding of the world through food and sensory experiences.

Nestled in the heart of Verwood, we are close to local schools and have strong connections with the local community. Our team brings a wide range of experience and knowledge to ensure the SHINE values – Support, Honesty, Inspire, Nurture, and Empower – are at the heart of everything we do and provide for our children and families.

Verwood Nursery is a brand-new, purpose-built setting with exceptional indoor and outdoor provision for children aged 0–5 years. We offer high-quality childcare in a free-flow environment where children can have fun, thrive, and learn.

Contact Us

Phone: 01202 806 004
Email: verwood@happydaysnurseries.com

Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools expand to 35 sites with the acquisition of Junior’s Day Nursery

Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools is delighted to have been given the opportunity to expand its portfolio further with the acquisition of Junior’s Day Nursery, increasing their portfolio to 35 settings across the South and South West.

Junior’s Day Nursery consists of four nurseries located in Kent, providing high quality childcare for over 10 years. Their ethos is to be the best childcare nursery in the areas they serve, offering outstandingly appointed, clean, safe facilities, that all include multi-sensory indoor and outdoor spaces as well as access to forest school activities.

Marcia Viccars, Merger & Acquisitions Director, said, “We are thrilled to be growing our portfolio again, reaching a milestone of 35 nurseries. This recent acquisition of these four fantastic nurseries in Kent shows our commitment to expand further into the south east of England and we are looking forward to building on this.”

Kim Herbert, Managing Director for Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools added,“ Junior’s Day Nursery is a perfect fit for Happy Days. Their values and beliefs of providing children with the very best care and education align with our own. The staff team will remain in place, and we look forward to working with them to support children to become strong and motivated learners for life and provide a top-class service to enable parents to work and live their daily lives knowing their children are cherished and cared for to the highest standard.”

Denise Fuller, outgoing owner of Junior’s commented, “After 16 years of dedicated service in providing high-quality education to children across four settings, it was imperative for me to identify a successor who would uphold the values and ethos of Junior’s while continuing to deliver the exceptional standard of care and education that our families have come to expect. Following extensive research into many prospective buyers I am confident that I have made the right choice with Happy Days Nurseries, and they make a great fit for the new ownership of Junior’s, maintaining the excellent reputation and legacy that Junior’s has worked so hard to achieve over the years. I wish Happy Days Nurseries all the best in their future endeavours.”

The sale was facilitated by specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, with Sophie Willcox, Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, commenting, “Working with Denise has been a pleasure from start to finish. She has built an impressive, well-respected group that I knew would receive a lot of interest, and I am delighted to have found the right buyers to look after her team and carry on her legacy.”

Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools continue to actively seek opportunities to grow their portfolio. Anyone interested in selling their business, or a developer looking for a nursery provider to partner with, should contact Kevin Higgs: kevin.higgs@happydaysnurseries.com; Kim Herbert kim.herbert@happydaysnureries.com or Marcia Viccars marcia.viccars@happydaysnurseries.com

For more information on Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools click here.