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Find out how we can help your child settle in to nursery life!

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Welcome to Happy Days

We believe every child deserves the best possible start in life and we pride ourselves on providing a service to enable parents to work and live their daily lives knowing their children are cherished and cared for to the highest standard.

A hug, a story, a time to learn, explore and discover – Welcome to Happy Days.

First Steps

If you are interested in starting your child at a Happy Days Nursery then we’d love to meet you. Simply find your preferred nursery and book your tour! Our handy booking calendar allows you to choose your preferred date and time. We encourage all new enquiries to visit a number of nurseries so you can choose the right environment for you and your child.

The Visit

All of our nursery tours are tailored to you and your child. The Nursery Manager will contact you prior to your visit to learn more about you, your child and requirements so that you experience a personalised tour.

Next Steps

Whether your child is starting with us next week, next month or next year, building relationships and getting to know you, your child and your family is paramount to enable you and your child to settle smoothly into nursery life.

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Find Your Local Nursery

the Settling in Process

We know that starting a new nursery is an anxious time for both parents and children, which is why our settling in process is so important and unique to Happy Days.

We believe that the settling in process should take as long as you and your child need and is tailored to your child. Every child reacts differently; some will settle straight away and others will need more time and reassurance before they are ready to spend time away from you. Don’t worry, we will be there for you and your child every step of the way – we have over 30 years’ experience and our colleagues are used to meeting the individual needs of each and every child.

The Key Person

The first step in the settling in process is allocating your child to their Key Person.

At Happy Days, we are committed to adopting the Key Person approach to ensure that every child’s care is tailored to meet their individual needs. The Key Person will provide consistent and continuous care in order to support the development of close attachments which support a child’s emotional wellbeing, providing a secure base from which to learn. Children thrive when their needs are met by people they know, trust and respect. Your child’s Key Person will build relationships with you so you feel reassured and confident that an adult who is tuned in to your child’s individual needs is caring for your child.

Settling in Sessions

We aim to start settling in sessions 6–8 weeks before your start date. During your first settle session we will spend time getting to know you and your child and complete any necessary paperwork. It will be for a short period of time and we ask you to stay.

We will then aim to increase the length of the settling in sessions and the period your child is away from you, whilst allowing your child to experience every part of nursery life including meal times, sleep time, snacks, outdoor play, structured activities and more. Don’t worry we will assess and review these sessions every time you visit and slow down or speed up the process, depending on your child’s needs.

At the end of the settling in process, your child will be ready and eager to start nursery, enabling you to drop off on the first day confident that your child is happy, settled and well cared for.

Partnership with Parents

Developing and maintaining partnerships with parents and your child’s extended family is extremely important to us at Happy Days and we continue to build on these relationships throughout your time at nursery with:

  • Detailed feedback at the end of the day and weekly email updates.
  • Closed Facebook group with photos of the activities your child is participating in.
  • Open events
  • Parent events in the nursery such as coffee mornings, gardening clubs, afternoon Tea etc.
  • Special memories and achievements at Home Form
  • Parents evenings
  • Parent surveys
  • And of course, you are welcome to pop in to nursery at any time to speak to your Nursery Manager and/or arrange a meeting with your Key Person if you have anything you wish to discuss.

Transitions

During your child’s time at nursery, they will experience at least one transition, either moving up to the next room and/or moving on to school; and many children will experience more than one transition, depending on the age they start with us.

Each transition will be agreed in consultation with you and your child’s Key Person. As with the settling in process, the transition will be carried out gradually, at your child’s pace and they will be supported by their Key Person.