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Happy Days UK

Ofsted: Good
(May 2023)
·
4.0(16 parent reviews) ·Crosswinds, Ferry Road, SITTINGBOURNE, ME9 8RE · Kent
Number of places
80 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

Happy Days Nursery, situated in Iwade, Kent, is a family-operated establishment founded over two decades ago by a mother and daughter duo. The nursery prioritises fostering strong relationships with both its staff and the families it serves.

The facility boasts four primary playrooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchen. Outdoors, there is a spacious garden that complements the indoor areas, featuring free-flow patio access from every room, a dedicated baby area, a bike zone, a gardening corner, a large grassy area equipped with climbing structures, a mud kitchen, and specific areas for storytelling and cookery.

The nursery aims to make the transition for children from home to nursery as smooth as possible, offering free "settling in" sessions and home visits with a child's key person. To help children settle, the nursery recommends a minimum attendance of two sessions per week on separate days.

The Ladybird Room, led by Jemma, caters to toddlers aged approximately 18 months to 3 years, focusing on experimental learning, play, and interaction to answer children's many questions at this inquisitive stage.

What it's like

Children feel safe and secure in this nurturing environment. They have formed strong bonds with the staff and their peers. Children are confident and gain the skills they need for the next stage in their learning, such as moving rooms within the nursery or progressing on to school.

Family-run nurserySpacious outdoor areaFocus on sensory and experimental playBespoke settling-in process

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged for full day or half day sessions, with the booking pattern required to be consistent each week. Morning and afternoon sessions are offered, and an early bird option is available for an extra charge.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Bookings must remain the same every week.
  • Full day sessions run from 8am to 6pm.
  • Half day sessions run 8am to 1pm or 1pm to 6pm.
  • Early Bird sessions are available from 7.30am to 8am.

Key facts

Opening hours

Full day: 8am to 6pm; Morning session: 8am to 1pm; Afternoon session: 1pm to 6pm; Early Bird: 7:30am to 8am

Age range

18 months to 3 years (Ladybird Room)

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Session types

Full day, Half day, Early Bird

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Happy Days UK

Last inspected 10 May 2023

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children feel safe and secure in this nurturing environment. They have formed strong bonds with the staff and their peers. Children are confident and gain the skills they need for the next stage in their learning, such as moving rooms within the nursery or progressing on to school.

Inspector highlights

  • Children feel safe and secure in this nurturing environment and have formed strong bonds with staff and peers.
  • Staff provide a wide range of opportunities for sensory play, supporting early writing skills and encouraging independence.
  • The manager works closely with other professionals and utilises extra funding to support children with SEND and EAL.
  • Staff effectively support children's communication skills through spontaneous events, rhyme, and repetition.
  • Positive partnerships with parents ensure continuity of care and learning, with detailed information shared daily.

Areas to develop

  • 1ensure staff make effective use of focused activities to challenge and extend children's learning
  • 2continue to support staff working with younger children to develop their practice and raise the quality of teaching.
Inspection #10285967 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The manager works closely with other professionals to help any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The special educational needs coordinator has put in place detailed plans to help children reach their highest potential.

Outdoor space

Outside play is important to the staff at the nursery. The children have extensive opportunities to develop their gross motor skills, such as riding on bicycles and walking across balance beams. Children especially enjoy playing on the swings, developing coordination and muscle strength.

Parent Reviews of Happy Days UK

4.0
(16)
Jana Koskina
3 years ago

My daughter has been attending Happy days nursery for 2 years now. She absolutely loves it and runs in everyday. The nursery has a lovely, warm and inviting culture, which was something really important to us when choosing a nursery. Everyday there is a new activity or experience planned and she seems to be really thriving from the variety. Our regular catch-ups with her key worker are informing and reassuring. We feel so lucky to have been able to secure a place and are so grateful to the team at Happy Days nursery.

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Samantha Nathan
3 years ago

My son attended Happy Days from when he was 8 months right through until he left to start school last August. I can not speak highly enough of this nursery. My son was extremely happy there, the staff are amazing they plan interesting, fun, varied and educational activities for the children every day. The children have plenty of time to play outside and they are taken out of nursery occasionally for visits in the local area. All the meals are home cooked on site are good quality and delicious (according to my son). My sons time at Happy Days prepared him perfectly for school and he is doing very well there. I have no hesitation recommend this nursery to everyone who is looking for good quality childcare.

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Michelle Ryback
6 years ago

I have had 2 children attend this nursery both have additional needs. I could not have found a better place to leave my precious babies while I was at work. Being a former Nursery Nurse myself I found it hard to find the perfect place as my expectations were high! From the start they both absolutely loved going to Happy Days. The staff are so friendly, caring and welcoming. They were always willing to accommodate my daughters needs and learn about their issues. I always felt at home there and I know my daughters did too sometimes we had tears when it was home time! Their passion for caring whilst giving the children an amazing start to their learning shone through when my eldest left to go to school she was more than ready. On top of all that I truly believe this nursery has the best outside area compared to other local nurseries.

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CJ Iles
6 years ago

Both my sons went to Happy Days. After spending a very long time looking at lots of different nurseries it was very clear Happy Days was by far the best one. The staff were extremely friendly and brilliant with my youngest who really struggles when I’m not with him, but he soon settled in and made friends. The garden is amazing with lots of zoned areas so all the children can play out in the garden safely together, with an undercover area so even if it’s raining they can still go out. I found our whole “Happy Days” experience just that...it was great to know I was leaving my sons in very capable hands. I highly recommend this nursery.

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shervon1988
3 years ago

Both of my children have been full time at happy days over the years since the age of 9months. I have been extremely happy with the service they provide, the setting my children have grown up in and the education they give. All of the staff show so much love and care for the children they look after and I could reccomend them enough. 5 stars isn’t enough, best nursery ever!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Happy Days UK. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: June 2009

  • May 2023Good
  • October 2017Outstanding
  • January 2015Good
  • June 2009Outstanding

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more