Happy Days Managers Conference and Annual Awards 2026: A Celebration of People, Progress and Purpose
2 mins
Feb 05, 2026
Happy Days Nurseries recently brought managers and colleagues together from across the group for its 2026 Managers Conference and Annual Awards, a vibrant and uplifting event celebrating achievements, connection and shared ambition for the year ahead.
With 39 nurseries across South England and Wales, the conference offered a valuable opportunity to reunite teams, reflect on progress and align around future goals. The day was designed with a clear purpose: to celebrate how far the group has come, strengthen collaboration and energise leaders as they continue to support children, families and teams in their communities.
The atmosphere throughout the day was one of positivity, pride and genuine connection. Managers took time to share ideas, learn from one another and reconnect with colleagues, reinforcing the strength of the Happy Days network. A standout moment came from a lively and inspiring workshop delivered by Boogie Mites, whose music-filled session brought movement, laughter and high energy to the room. The workshop perfectly set the tone for the relaunch of Boogie Mites across Happy Days nurseries, reminding everyone of the power of music, rhythm and joy in early years learning.
The celebrations continued into the evening with the Annual Awards, hosted by compère John Dalziel, whose warmth and humour kept the night flowing and full of laughter. The awards recognised excellence across the business, highlighting the vital contributions of managers, practitioners, apprentices, SENCOs and support centre teams alike.
Award categories reflected the wide range of roles and achievements that make Happy Days what it is, from People Leader of the Year and Apprentice of the Year, to Inspiring Indoor and Outdoor Learning, Community Nursery of the Year and Nursery of the Year. The standard across all nominations was exceptionally high, serving as a powerful reminder of the passion, skill and commitment shown by teams every day.
This year’s winners included Happy Days Bradley Stoke, named Nursery of the Year, alongside individual colleagues recognised for inspirational practice, leadership and dedication. Special recognition awards also celebrated the often unseen work of support centre and nursery teams, reinforcing the message that every role plays a crucial part in the success of the organisation.
Happy Days would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all award sponsors for their continued support, as well as to partners Cosy and Hope Education for joining the celebrations. A special thank you also goes to Boogie Mites and John Dalziel for bringing such memorable energy to the event.
Above all, the conference and awards were a celebration of people. From shared laughter and singing to moments of reflection and pride, the event captured what makes Happy Days special: a strong sense of togetherness, shared values and a commitment to giving children the very best start in life.
As Happy Days looks ahead, the 2026 Managers Conference and Annual Awards served as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when passionate people come together with a shared purpose and an exciting foundation for the year to come.
Happy Days Nursery Group announces ‘Our Biggest Open House’ in support of Children’s Hospice South West
1 mins
Jan 12, 2026
The Happy Days Nursery Group is delighted to announce Our Biggest Open House, taking place on Saturday 7 February 2026, from 10am–1pm, across nurseries within the group, including its newest acquisitions.
Designed as a relaxed, drop-in event for local families, Our Biggest Open House is all about opening the door and welcoming communities in to experience what nursery life at Happy Days really feels like. With no timetable and no formal structure, children are free to lead the way as families explore playful learning spaces, meet nursery teams and see how learning happens through everyday moments.
The event reflects Happy Days’ belief that children learn best when they feel safe, supported and at home. From creative play and music, to cosy reading corners, outdoor exploration and calm wellbeing spaces, each nursery will bring the theme to life in its own way, showcasing what makes their setting unique.
This year’s Biggest Open House will also support Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), one of Happy Days’ Charities of the Year. Families attending are invited to make an optional donation on the day, helping to raise vital funds for children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Children’s Hospice South West provides specialist care across three hospices in the South West, offering not only medical and nursing support, but also emotional care, respite and precious time together for families. Their hospices offer a welcoming, home-from-home environment where families can rest, recharge and feel supported during incredibly challenging times.
By linking Our Biggest Open House with CHSW, Happy Days hopes to bring communities together for a meaningful cause, helping children understand kindness, compassion and the importance of supporting others from an early age.
Our Biggest Open House takes place across participating Happy Days Nursery Group settings on Saturday 7 February 2026, 10:00–13:00. There is no need to book — families are welcome to drop in at a time that suits them.
A look back at our wonderfully creative Messy Week at Happy Days Falmouth!
Children at Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, all embraced a variety of exciting sensory activities designed to spark curiosity and support early development. From mark-making with tools like squeegees and spray bottles to exploring different textures with feathers, paint, and clay, there was no limit to their creativity.
Each room tailored the experience to the children’s interests, encouraging exploration through colour, texture, and movement both indoors and outdoors. It was fantastic to see their confidence and imagination grow through play.
We’re so proud of the engagement from both the children and our dedicated Falmouth team. We can’t wait to share more inspiring moments from the nursery’s next creative adventure!
✨ Less than Two Weeks to Go: Happy Days Activities Week!
1 mins
Sep 23, 2025
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.
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! 🌈✨
Open House! No need to book, just pop in when you can.
Date: Every other Tuesday morning Time: 10 am – 11 am
Explore our state-of-the-art facilities: – Tour our purpose-built nursery designed for your child’s learning and development. – Meet our friendly and dedicated nursery team.
Learn everything you need to know: – Early years funding options and fees – Nursery opening hours and tour availability – Nutritious meal plans and delicious menus – Engaging early years curriculum – …and much more!
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to see our nursery and ask any questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Happy Days!
No need to book – just pop in when you can! Where: Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, College Road, Truro, TR1 3XX Call: 01872 261519 Email: trurocity@happydaysnurseries.com
Open House! No need to book, just pop in when you can.
Dates: Last Monday of every month starting 29 September
Time: 14:00 pm – 16:00 pm
Explore our state-of-the-art facilities: – Tour our purpose-built nursery designed for your child’s learning and development. – Meet our friendly and dedicated nursery team.
Learn everything you need to know: – Early years funding options and fees – Nursery opening hours and tour availability – Nutritious meal plans and delicious menus – Engaging early years curriculum – …and much more!
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to see our nursery and ask any questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Happy Days!
No need to book – just pop in when you can! Where: Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, Penrice Hospital, Porthpean Road, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6AA Call: 01726 71188 Email: penrice@happydaysnurseries.com
Happy Days Announces Free Activities Week: Food from Around the World 🌍🍴
1 mins
Aug 28, 2025
Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools are excited to invite families to join us for our upcoming Activities Week: Food from Around the World, taking place Monday 6th – Friday 10th October 2025.
This special week is completely free to attend and packed with exciting, hands-on experiences designed to inspire children’s curiosity, celebrate diversity and explore the wonderful world of food!
Each day will follow a themed programme across our nurseries, with activities ranging from fruit tasting and yoga, to sensory spice play and cultural food festivals. Families will have the chance to enjoy unique experiences together, while also discovering more about our nurseries.
Here’s a taste of what’s in store:
🍎 Marvellous Mealtimes Monday – Fruit and vegetable tasting, kitchen discos, fruit kebabs, and citrus-inspired water play. 🥘 Tapas Tuesday – A celebration of flavours from around the world, with tapas tasting, Spanish bingo, flag making, and spice-inspired sensory play. 🧘 Wellness Wednesday – A focus on mindfulness and wellbeing, including yoga, oral health workshops, bubble play, music and movement, and outdoor mindfulness walks. 🚜 Transportation Thursday – Farm-inspired play with tuff trays, planting seeds and crops, role-play farm shops, and imaginative transport activities. 🎉 Fabulous Food Fest Friday – A big finale with food tasting festivals, cultural picnics, and opportunities to try exciting dishes from around the globe.
But it’s not just about the activities – it’s also a chance for families to: 👩🏫 Meet the team and get to know the passionate practitioners who make our nurseries so special. 🏫 Tour the nursery in action, seeing how our environments support learning, play, and development every day. 💬 Ask any questions about funding, from government entitlements to our all-inclusive SHINE at Happy Days package.
Alongside the fun, families who attend will also have the opportunity to enrol at their chosen Happy Days nursery without paying the enrolment fee – a fantastic way to join our community while saving on nursery costs.
➡️ To make sure we have plenty of supplies for everyone, we kindly ask that all places are booked in advance (please contact the nurseries directly to do so).
📢 Full details of the activities taking place at each Happy Days nursery will be announced soon on our website, so keep an eye on your local nursery page for updates!
We can’t wait to welcome you and your family to a week of food, fun, and celebration! 🌈✨
Business Networking Lunchtime Walk & Talk 🚶♂️💬
Take a break, stretch your legs and make new connections!
📅 When: Every last Friday of the month – starting 29th August 2025 🕧 Time: 12:30 – 1:30pm 📍 Where: Almondsbury Business Centre (meet outside Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, Woodlands Lane, BS32 4QH)
Join us for an informal lunchtime walk around the business park. It’s a great way to:
Network with local professionals
Share ideas and opportunities
Get some fresh air and light exercise during your working day
This relaxed session is open to everyone based in and around the business park – but all are welcome!
👥 No booking needed – just turn up and join the walk.
Happy Days Nursery Falmouth Celebrates Continued ‘Good’ Ofsted Rating
Inspectors praised the nursery’s warm and caring ethos, high-quality teaching, and ambitious approach to children’s learning and development. The report recognised the strong bonds between children and staff, highlighting the thoughtful settling-in process that ensures every child gets the best possible start.
The team’s focus on communication, language, and social development was also applauded. Ofsted described the nursery as a place where children are “highly confident and motivated learners”, supported by a team of staff who are “consistently improving” their practice through strong leadership and professional development.
Nursery Manager Kate Bower said: “I’m extremely proud of my team for their ongoing dedication. The report is a real reflection of how hard they work every day to support the amazing children in our care. We’re excited for what’s next here at Falmouth.”
The report also praised the nursery’s inclusive environment, especially its support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as the effective use of funding to benefit disadvantaged children.
Children at Happy Days Falmouth enjoy a wide range of learning experiences, both inside the nursery and out in the local community. From joining in with Falmouth Carnival to taking part in Falmouth Week, these experiences help children develop confidence, creativity, and a respect for diversity.
Staff were also commended for encouraging positive behaviour through the nursery’s “golden rules” and for their strong partnerships with parents. The nursery’s four-month school readiness programme was noted as another strength, helping children transition smoothly into their next stage of learning.
With a focus on safety, wellbeing, and development, Happy Days Falmouth continues to offer a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
📸 Photo shows children and staff celebrating the result together!
Date: 11th August 2025 Time: 8:00 AM – onwards Location: Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, Beechbank Avenue, Creekmoor, Poole, BH17 7FF
Join us for a relaxed morning of tea, biscuits, and conversation at Happy Days Poole.
Come along to: – Meet our friendly and dedicated team – Ask any questions about our nursery, funding, availability, and curriculum – Tour our newly expanded and refurbished nursery, including our fantastic new baby room and refreshed outdoor spaces
Whether you’re exploring childcare options or just curious about our setting, this is a great opportunity to see what makes our nursery such a special place to learn and grow.