Celebrating Success: Lucie Achieves Distinction in Level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification

Happy Days Penair is delighted to celebrate a fantastic achievement from one of our team members. Lucie, who has been a familiar face within the Happy Days family for many years, has successfully achieved a distinction in her Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship.

Lucie’s journey with Happy Days is a truly inspiring one. Eighteen years ago, she began her early years adventure as a Happy Days baby at our Treliske nursery. Her connection to the organisation came full circle in November 2023 when she joined Happy Days Penair for work experience as part of her Level 2 Early Years course. After qualifying, she transitioned into a full-time role at Penair, where she continued her training and completed her Level 3 apprenticeship with exceptional success.

Throughout her time at Penair, Lucie has consistently demonstrated passion, dedication, and a strong commitment to high-quality early years practice. Her nurturing approach and positive attitude shine through each day, making her a valued and much-loved member of the team.

Nursery Manager [add manager name if you want] said:
“Lucie is a joy to work with. Her enthusiasm for supporting young children to learn and grow is evident in everything she does. Achieving a distinction is a true reflection of her hard work, professionalism, and love for early years education.”

We are incredibly proud of everything Lucie has achieved and look forward to supporting her as she continues her career within Happy Days.

A huge congratulations, Lucie — well done from all of us!

📞 Contact Us
Phone: 01872 264 568
Email: penair@happydaysnurseries.com
📍 Happy Days Nursery, Penair School, St Clements Hill, Truro, TR1 1TN

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.

Charlton Heights Celebrates Community Spirit and National Recognition

It’s been a week of celebration for Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, Charlton Heights, as the team proudly shared in the success of their neighbours, Allegra Care, while also being shortlisted for a prestigious national award. 🌟

The children from Happy Days Charlton Heights recently joined residents and staff from Olive Tree House and Rose Garden care homes for an incredible Upcycled Fashion Show, organised as part of The Carer’s national Coffee Morning Competition in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event, which took two months of preparation, celebrated creativity, sustainability, and community connection, values that are at the heart of everything Happy Days stands for.

Our children designed and decorated their own t-shirts before proudly walking the catwalk alongside Home Manager Vlad, who dressed as a cardboard box to match their chosen song, “Big Fish, Little Fish.” Together, the event raised over £150 for Macmillan Cancer Support, showing how powerful community collaboration can be.

Manager Steph said: “Our children absolutely loved taking part in the fashion show. It was a brilliant opportunity to bring generations together, share creativity, and support such a meaningful cause.”

The Charlton Heights team is also celebrating being shortlisted as a finalist for Community Nursery of the Year at the 2025 Nursery Management Today (NMT) Awards — a reflection of the nursery’s deep commitment to supporting local families and building strong community connections.

Since opening in 2023, Charlton Heights has become a true hub for families, offering free weekly Stay & Play sessions, tailored parent support on everything from toilet training to school readiness, and assistance with EHCPs and SEN funding. The team regularly attends and hosts community events, supports local charities like St Peter’s Hospice, and leads environmental initiatives such as litter picking, planting for pollinators, and achieving the Eco Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction in 2025.

Manager Steph added: “We want Charlton Heights to be more than just a nursery, a place where families, schools, businesses, and charities come together to support children and each other. This nomination is a celebration of our entire community.”

From creative catwalks to national awards, it’s clear that community truly shines at Happy Days Charlton Heights.

To wrap up our childcare funding series, Alice and Karen answer your most frequently asked questions, from splitting hours between providers to self-employed eligibility and support for families on Universal Credit.

They also cover extra help like Tax-Free Childcare, Disability Access Funding, and Early Years Pupil Premium, because there’s often more support available than you might realise.

Ever wondered what your childcare funding actually covers and what it doesn’t? Alice and Karen unpack the details of how funding works in nurseries, including what’s included in your 15 or 30 free hours, and what parents may still pay for (like meals, nappies, or enrichment activities).

They also explain how the SHINE package at Happy Days makes things simpler for families, and how you can combine Tax-Free Childcare with funded hours.