Happy Days Nursery has fully implemented the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which covers the learning, and well being of all nursery aged children from birth to 5 years. We encourage children in learning through their play by providing a variety of materials and a wide range of experiences both inside and outside the nursery. At the Nursery, we encourage learning to take place through both adult-led and child-led activities, we provide a free-flow system at certain periods during the day where children are free to choose where their learning takes place. Each child has an individual learning journal and activities are planned around this to support their individual developmental needs. We keep records of each child’s progress which enables us to create activities that are appropriate to the children’s needs. Each child has a online learning journal that parents and carers can review at any time, these are used as part of the parent key worker review meetings. These records are also sent onto your child’s next place of education.
The staff team at Happy Days have all been fully police checked, had background references followed up and also completed professional childcare qualifications. We encourage staff as part of their work to continue with their professional development throughout their career. We have a longstanding and dedicated staff team who use professional experience to entertain and encourage the children’s development.
It is important for parents and carers to feel comfortable when leaving their child in our care, to feel confident that staff are committed to providing excellent care and learning opportunities.
At Happy Days our staff have in total over 161 years experience in childcare. Nine staff have worked at Happy Days 7 years or more. Three of us over 20 years! Nine of our staff are graduates. Eight are qualified to level 3 NVQ in childcare. One has a level 2 NVQ. We have two qualified teachers, one of which is an Early Years Teacher. Five staff are undergoing training, of which two expect to be level 3 qualified in spring 2023. Our proprietor Hazel has both a masters, PhD and is a qualified D32/D33 Early Years Assessor. We place a great deal of importance on our staff as their wellbeing, job satisfaction and careers are vital to the children’s education, social development and happiness whilst at Happy Days . A copy of our Policies and procedures can be downloaded here Policies and Procedures.zip
Hazel – Nursery Owner
I started Happy Days nursery 36 years ago in the basement of our then home in Lincoln Street Hanover. After a few years we moved to our current premises, initially just the Daisy Hall then adding the Buttercups hall. Happy Days is a family run business and both my daughters, Esme and Rosy, work there. My partner Andy also works at the Nursery part time. I am a qualified nursery practitioner and D32/D33 Early Years Assessor. I have an hons degree, masters and a doctorate. I am proud that Happy Days creates such lovely memories for children and for the dedication of all the staff – many of whom have worked at Happy Days for years!
Jodie – EYFS QC and SEND
I’m Jodie I have been at Happy Days for 16 years, I started as a trainee and have never looked back. I am the nursery SENCO – special educational needs co-ordinator, I help care for children with additional needs ensuring they have the perfect learning environment. I work closely with outside agencies such as speech and language, BHISS, health visitors. I have previously work as deputy and co-manager at Happy Days. I also have roles as deputy Safeguarding officer and EYFS quality role to ensure that staff are meeting the Early Years Statutory Foundation for education. Both my children attended Happy Days.
Esme – Manager
I have many fond memories of growing up at Happy Days and have now watched my own son grow up here. I have worked here for 16 years and seem to have inherited a passion for childcare from my mum. Working closely with parents/carers I care strongly about the Nursery being a safe, caring and enjoyable place for both the children and staff. After co-managing a number of years I became manager at the end of 2023 and I bring my experience as a child who attended, a practitioner and as a mother to my new role. I am level 3 qualified and enthusiastically support children with finding their own voice and the confidence to express it.
Tilly – Early Years Educator
Hi I’m Tilly, I am qualified L2 nursery practitioner and I have worked at Happy Days for 4 years. I have always liked caring for children, I used to help looking after my family’s children and ever since then I wanted to do and learn more. I have just returned from Maternity leave and my daughter has settled into Happy Days really well.
Abbi– Early Years Teacher’
I’m Abbi and I am qualified early years teacher.
I worked in a previous Nursey for 4 years (2 years as an Early Years Teacher ‘EYT’ and 2 years a practitioner whilst studying for my EYT status). I was also their Safeguarding lead. From Sussex University I have Degree in Childhood & Youth Studies and Masters in Early Years Education (L7). Earlier in 2023 I left my previous job to travel around Europe. I am now lucky enough to working at Happy Days where the children are comfortable and free to learn and express themselves creatively, emotionally and with confidence
Ainhoa – Early Years Educator
I am Ainhoa and I have been working at Happy Days for over 3 years now. Since completing my BA in Education at Brighton University I am now working full time in the nursery and studying for a level 3 in Early Years Education which I expect to finish Jan 2025. I am looking forward to a career in supporting children and young people in education.
I am originally from Tenerife, Spain and I have been living in England for the past 9 years which has allowed me to speak English and Spanish fluently.
I love animals and nature due to my upbringing in a rural part of Tenerife, which is why I have enjoyed working with the children in the garden, supporting them exploring plants and how they grow
Mishka – Early Years Teacher
Hi, I’m Mishka! I started working in nurseries whilst I was in college, before moving to Brighton to get a degree in primary education. After I graduated, I missed the environment of early years and decided i want to go back, and that’s how I found Happy Days. My favourite part of being in early years is giving the children opportunities is to both learn and express themselves through art – and watching them explore creative materials and mediums. I specialised in primary art and design in university and believe it to be very beneficial to child development.
Jo – Early Years Educator
Hi I’m Jo and I am qualified level 2 nursery practitioner currently studying for level 3 here at Happy Days. I have lots of experience within Early Years settings from being an apprentice at a nursery for 18 months to gaining work experience for a year in the school I attended for juniors. I moved to Brighton from Gloucester in 2019 to study Criminology with Sociology but was itching to get back into childcare afterwards as it is something I have always been passionate about and what a brilliant nursery to join. The staff and children are brilliant and I have learnt so much already and I am excited to carry on studying and learn more for future practise.
Heidi – Early Years Educator
Hello, I’m Heidi and I have worked at Happy Days for nearly 5 years. I am a level 3 qualified in Early Years Education. I am also Happy Days Diversity Representative. Since I was younger I always wanted to work with children and it is the most rewarding job.
We have a great team, with so much experience and knowledge between us and love seeing how happy the children are here.
Rachel– Early Years Educator
Hi I’m Rachel, I have been working at Happy Days for over three years. I am level 2 qualified and I am also one of the fire representatives. I have just start my level 3 NVQ qualification. I love doing messy play and art activities with the children because its a fun way for them to learn and develop their skills.
Hallee– Trainee Early Years Educator
Hi my name is Hallee and I have worked at happy days for almost a year now. I’m currently studying for my level 2 NVQ in Early Years Education and I have really enjoyed my time here. I started babysitting 3 years ago when I was 16 years old and from there I knew Happy Days was a place I would love! I am looking forward to getting my qualifications and gaining more knowledge in childcare and progress to working in special educational needs ????
Bunty – Early Years Educator
Hi, I’m Bunty and I have just qualified for my L3 inEarly Years Education . I started at Happy Days in early 2022 and so I am coming up to 3 years soon. I absolutely love this job and I am learning so much about child development, and making the kids laugh is my favourite part of each day. I intend to progress and achieve my childcare qualifications and stay in this field because it brings me so much happiness and I value the positive impact it can have on future generations.
Jess – Early Years Educator & Management Support
My name is Jess and I’m a level 3 practitioner with over 9 years experience working with children aged 0-5. I’ve worked in many nurseries in Brighton, where I have been a key person, a 1:1 for children who need additional support and finally my role at a previous nursery was as a room leader. I currently attend Happy Days 3 days a week part-time. For the rest of the week I work as a private Nanny for a family. I’ve been working at Happy Days since January 2022 and what a pleasure it has been to be part of such a lovely community of people.
Rosy – Admin & Early Years Educator
Hello, I’m Rose and I have worked at Happy Days for several years with my sister Esme and my mum Hazel. I have a background in illustration, I originally came into Happy Days to do art workshops and support with administration but have since progressed to also be practitioner 3 days week. I am involved in implementing and managing the massive expansion in EYFE Funding announced by the Government within Happy Days. My own child Albie attended the nursery and I was fortunate to see how well he thrived here.
Donna – Deputy Manager
Hello I’m Donna, I have been a part of the Happy Days team for more then 24 years, I have had the opportunity to gain my level 3 in childcare, Level 3 in Leadership and management, also a course in mathematics for children… and many more. I have been lucky to see many children who previously attended Happy Days become ‘young adults’ (as most are taller then me) return to the Nursery for work experience or Duke of Edinburgh awards – or in a few case return as parents or member of staff!
Andy – Admin, IT & Maintenance
Hi, I’m Andy. I have been helping out at Happy Days since the end of 2019. This has extended beyond maintenance to include new IT systems and Admin. I havebackground in engineering having worked as Engineering Service Director for many years and so I love making things for children at the Nursery – from giant cardboard sleighs/cars/rockets to bigger projects like the garden.
Cristy – Senior Practitioner
I have worked at Happy days for 25 years (taking 5 months out over the winter).I am qualified NVQ2 &3 and have also been the Safeguarding lead for a big part of my time at Happy Days. I’ve enjoyed seeing many children flourish at Happy Days and is great to then see some later return to Happy Days for work experience/Duke of Edinburgh awards. I have 2 children 19 and 16 that both attended Happy Days and loved every minute with lots of happy memory’s – now I’m showing my age.
Megan – Early Years Educator
Hi, I’m Megan, I have worked at Happy Days for almost 8 years. I am qualified in children’s learning and development level 2 and 3. My role as a Nursery Practitioner is to ensure all children attending receive high quality care, are kept safe and are provided with planned and stimulating play experiences which meet their individual needs and support all aspects of their development. I also have a little boy called Roman that attended the Nursery and very much enjoyed his time here.
