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.

Ready to apply for your childcare funding? In this step-by-step guide, Alice and Karen explain exactly how to apply for your funded childcare hours, where to go, and what deadlines you need to know. Find out how to get your 30 hours code, when to apply, and why reconfirming your details matters.

They also share tips on what to do if your circumstances change, plus key advice on grace periods and additional support.

Confused about who qualifies for childcare funding? You’re not alone! In this episode, Alice and Karen break down everything parents in England need to know about free childcare hours, from 9 months to school age. Learn the differences between 15 hours and 30 hours funding, what “working parent” eligibility means, and how nurseries can “stretch” your hours across the year.

Perfect for parents exploring early years education funding for the first time.

Recognising the incredible people who help children shine

Today, on National Practitioners Day, we are celebrating the dedicated, passionate individuals who make early years education so special. Our Practitioners at Happy Days do far more than supervise, they create safe, nurturing environments where children feel valued and are encouraged to explore. Through attentive care, meaningful interactions, and tailored support, they help children build confidence, develop new skills, and discover their own unique potential.

Whether encouraging communication through conversation and play, fostering curiosity by supporting exploration, or building resilience with gentle guidance, our teams play a vital role in shaping happy, confident children ready to take on the world.

Behind every great learning experience is a practitioner, bringing to life a carefully designed curriculum that supports all areas of a child’s growth and development. Their dedication ensures every child has the chance to thrive in a balanced and joyful environment .

Shaping Futures, One Moment at a Time

The work practitioners do each day leaves a lasting mark on the lives of children they care for. Through simple every day moments, like helping a child solve a problem, encouraging a first step, or guiding social interactions, they help shape confident, resilient learners with skills that last a lifetime.

At Happy Days, we are incredibly proud of our own practitioners, each one playing a vital role in delivering our curriculum with care, creativity and heart. They bring learning to life with warmth and enthusiasm, adapting every experience to meet the individual needs of each child.

From the smallest milestones to the biggest achievements, our teams are there every step of the way, supporting, guiding, and celebrating each child’s journey.

So today, we say a heartful thank you to every member of our Happy Days team. You truly help children shine, every single day.

Join Our Happy Days Team

A career in childcare empowers you to inspire a generation of children, who turn, will shape the future of the world.

What other career lets you be a train driver, doctor, astronaut, rocket, and gardener, all in one day? At Happy Days, no two days are the same, and every day brings new opportunities to make a difference.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your career in Early Years, Happy Days offers a wide range of roles, fantastic training, and real progression pathways. As a company with passion for promoting within, the sky really is the limit.

We also offer a range of meaningful benefits, from 50% childcare discounts and gifted time off at Christmas, to wellbeing support, career development, and much more. At Happy Days you’ll be valued, supported, and given the chance to thrive.

Inspire their future, inspire your future, with a career at Happy Days.

Charlton Heights Children Visit Local Fire Station

Children from Charlton Heights enjoyed a fun and educational visit to the local Fire Station this week.

The trip offered a hands-on experience where the children had the opportunity to sit inside a real fire engine, spray water using the hose, explore fire-fighting tools such as torches, and even try on some of the equipment worn by firefighters.

In addition to the interactive activities, the children took part in fire-themed colouring and had the chance to ask lots of questions about the important role of the fire service in our community.

The visit was a fantastic way to learn about fire safety in a memorable and engaging way. A heartfelt thank you to the firefighters for their time, kindness, and the warm welcome they gave to our young learners.

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! 🌈✨

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.