Spring Term 2026 Newsletter
Welcome:
We would like to say a warm welcome to all our families and children who have joined us at Happy Days Day nursery.
We also have a new member of staff called Jess who has recently joined our Team.
Jess will be working in the rising two’s room whilst completing her level 3 in Childcare and Education.
Maternity leave: Sophie will be leaving for Maternity in February 2026 and expected to return January 2027. We wish Sophie well and will look forward to her popping in to show us baby after she arrives in March.
Goodbye
After two years’ service, we say Goodbye to Anne and wish her all the best for the future.
Information for new parents:
Staff team:
A little bit about me:
Jo – Owner has been at Happy days since 2004 as a baby room leader and purchased the nursery in 2011. Jo has a degree in Early Childhood Studies and is level 3 SEND trained. Jo has three children, three stepchildren and four grandchildren. Jo enjoys spending time with my family and friends,
relaxing spa days and reading. Jo also does charity work in my hometown Kirton – Lindsey. During Jo’s career in Childcare, she has specialised in babies and supporting SEND Children. Happy Day Day Nursery has a sister company in Horncastle called Nurture Hub Day Nursery established in 2023.
Staff team:
Sarah – Area manager and is working between both settings. Sarah is Level 5 trained and has level 3 SEND training. Sarah has been working in Childcare for 22 years and works in the Pre-school room. Sarah supports both settings and joined Happy days in 2017.
Becki – Deputy Manager – Becki is level 4 trained and has experience in working in all 3 rooms and is currently working in the Pre-school. Becki enjoys camping and walking with her dog. Becki joined Happy days in 2016.
Briony – Is acting assistant manager and is lead practitioner in the Butterfly room. Briony is a Mummy to two young boys. Briony loves spending time with her family and researching to expand on her knowledge to support the learning and development of children. Joined Happy days in 2025.
Kim – is SEND assistant, she works in the Pre-school room with SEND Children. Kim has level 2 in childcare and almost completed her level 3 qualification. Kim is a mum to grown up children and enjoys baking, crafts and likes knitting in her spare time. Kim joined Happy days in 2008.
Kayla – Kayla is level 3 trained. Kayla works in the caterpillar room. She is a mummy to a little boy and likes visiting new places. Kayla joined Happy days in 2021.
Sophie –Is level 4 trained and has experience in all three rooms and is currently working in the Butterfly room. Sophie enjoys singing, shopping and reading aswell as researching activities to support learning and development of children. Sophie joined Happy days in 2022.
Chloe – works in the Caterpillar room – rising two’s room and is level 3 trained. Chloe enjoys baking, trips and days out and spending time with her nieces and nephews. Chloe joined Happy days in 2022.
Alex – works in the Caterpillar – baby room and has almost completed her level 3 qualification. Alex is a mummy to a little girl and was a qualified primary school teacher in Ukraine before moving to the UK. Alex joined Happy days in 2024.
Kayley – works in the butterfly room and is level 4 health and social care and is currently doing her level 3 in childcare qualification. Kayley helps to care for her mum and likes drawing. Kayley joined Happy days in 2023.
Caitlin – is level 3 in Health and Social care and has completed her level 2 in childcare qualification. Caitlin works in the Caterpillar rising two room and enjoys shopping. Caitlin joined Happy days in 2023.
Leah – is level 2 trained and had many years’ experience in childcare. Leah works in the preschool room. Leah joined Happy Days in 2025 and enjoys car racing and days out with her family.
Carla – is completing her apprenticeship level 3 in childcare, Carla supports in all rooms to gain experience with the ages. Carla enjoys days out and spending time with her family.
Serejah – is working towards her level 3 in Childcare and Education. Serejah enjoys spending time socialising with friends and loves shopping and works in the Caterpillar babies and rising two’s room.
Jess – is working towards her level 3 in Childcare and Education and transferred to us from another nursery. Jess enjoys shopping, walks with her dog and spending time with her family.
Learning: Our Curriculum:
Our Ambitious Curriculum is what we want the children to learn whilst at Happy Days Day Nursery. The Curriculum is based on the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) which is a framework that we build on through the 7 areas of learning. The EYFS sets standards for the learning, development and care of the children. Through our curriculum we provide activities, play opportunities and teaching experiences to extend the children’s knowledge to learn, develop and thrive. For more information please visit: Development Matters – Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Our Themes for January are:
Caterpillars: Nursery rhymes – Hey Diddle Diddle, old Mcdonald
Butterflies: Winter
Preschool: Winter/Stickman
February:
Caterpillars: Humpty dumpty, Row your boat, Incy wincy spider
Butterflies: Celebrations
Preschool: Feelings/ Colour monster
March:
Caterpillars: Little ducks, Jack and Jill, The wheels on the bus
Butterflies: Spring
Preschool: Growing/Jack and the beanstalk
Home learning Packs:
The homework packs are for the Pre-school and the Butterfly room. The homework packs will be linked to the topics that we will learning about. These are not compulsory, but to link nursery and home to promote the children’s learning. These will be sent home at the beginning of the month and to be returned as soon as completed or by 20th of the month so we can prepare the pack ready for the next month.
Caterpillar room – if you would like any ideas with activities on how to support your baby’s development at home, please let us know and we can support you with this.
We will be informing parents on tapestry at the beginning of each month what we will be learning about so parents can support at home, we will be adding some ideas into the homework packs such as how to make playdough, gloop etc. We will be updating the Facebook page with photos of the activities the children have been enjoying.
Children’s belongings:
Please can parents ensure the children’s belongings are labelled with their name to prevent a mix up of items, the nursery will not be responsible for loss of unnamed items.
Please can we also ask you to provide slippers or plimsoles in case the fire alarm rings, and we need to exit the nursery quickly.
In winter please can we have winter clothing/puddle suits so the children can access the garden as much as possible in all weathers.
Family photos
If you have not provided nursery with a family photo, please could we ask that one could be emailed to nursery to display in the room, this is a great focus for the children to discuss with their peers and have familiar adults around for the babies. This supports their PSED development, providing them with a sense of belonging and can offer comfort to them throughout the day if needed.
Parents facebook: Happy days day nursery Private parents’ page: | Facebook
We have a private parents Facebook page up. This page will be private and only our nursery parents will be accepted to join. We use the page to put messages to parents and update regularly with photos of the children taking part in activities. Please see link above to join.
If you do not want your child’s photo on here please email nursery to update the permission form.
Tapestry: Parent partnership – Importance:
Please can I ask parents if they are not logged in or signed up to Tapestry to email nursery so we can resolve this. You will then be able to access any important messages or see what the children have eaten for the day, this is listed on the care diary. Tapestry is an important tool to work in partnership with parents, we would like parents to share photos of what their Child has been doing at home or new ‘wow’ moments. It is important that Parent and keyperson work in Partnership and share information to support their Child’s development to provide them with the best possible outcomes .
Policies:
It has been brought to our attention regarding sharing policies and procedures by parents that it would be beneficial to be displayed somewhere that parents can access these to refer to when needed such as the exclusion policy for illnesses. We are currently reviewing policies for the annual update and once completed these are getting uploaded to the documents section on tapestry so parents can access and refer to when needed. If there are any other documents parents would like to see then please email management with their suggestions 😊
Funding
From September 2025 all Children are eligible for 30 hours funding from the term after they turn 9 months old. This is for 38 weeks of the year.
To apply for your funding code please visit: Apply for free childcare if you’re working – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Funding codes: Please can parents ensure that funding codes are reviewed within the grace period otherwise this will impact the funding entitlement for the following term resulting in parents liable for the cost.
Funding forms: are to be completed in there is any change is circumstance such as change of address or sessions. All children must have a relevant and up to date funding form to be able to claim the funding.
Nursery uniform
We now have children’s nursery uniform, this is Navy blue and purple and we have t-shirts and jumpers in stock. We would like to see as many children in nursery uniform as possible, especially Pre-school children as this supports transition to school. However, this is not compulsory. These come in sizes 1-2, 3-4, 5-6.
Nursery uniform prices:
Polo tops – £8.45
Sweaters – £11.00
Please ask for an order form. We do not make profit from the sales.
Slippers
Polite reminder can you please send all children bring slipper this is to keep their feet warm on cushioned floors and in case we need to evaluate the nursery due to the fire alarm ringing, Thank you.
Winter Clothing
Please ensure all children attend the nursery wearing suitable winter clothing and bring a warm coat, hat and gloves as we need to access the garden during all four seasons.
Menu
Please find attached the new Winter menu that has recently being reviewed.
This has considered the new guidance from DFE with sugar intake for children. Any cakes/puddings that we offer at nursery are now sugar alternatives or sugar free.
Children can no longer bring Birthday cakes into nursery unless these are low sugar prepack cakes.
Meal prices: The current meal prices are :
Half days £2.50 Full Day £4.50
Birthdays
Happy Days Day Nursery would like to wish a Happy Birthday to all the Children and Staff celebrating their Birthdays in January, February, March and April.
Sickness
If your child shows any signs of being unwell or has a temperature above 37.8, please keep them off from nursery. This is to stop it from spreading to other children and staff. If your child is on prescription medication, they must be well within themselves to attend nursery otherwise they will be sent home. Children must have been on the prescribed medication 48 hours prior to returning to nursery. Child’s medication will only be accepted at the managers discretion. For any other illness please follow our exclusion policy.
If your child has had any vaccinations the child is to remain at home for 48 hours in case of allergic reactions.
Attendance
If your child will not be attending nursery, please notify the nursery as soon as possible either by email: nurturehubdaynursery@hotmail.com or phone 01652 648228
Open door policy
Please remember we have an open-door policy if you have any concerns regarding the nursery, staff or your Child’s development. Jo and Sarah can also be contact on either nursery contact details:
01652 648228 – Happy Days – happydaysdaynursery@hotmail.co.uk
01507 581459 – Nurture Hub – nurturehubdaynursery@hotmail.com
Reports
Your Child’s keyperson will issue you a brief summary report of your Child’s progress in December, April and a full summary report in June
Reminder: What should I have in my bag………?
Every child should bring:
*Wipes
*Spare outfits including a top, bottoms, socks, and pants
(minimum 2 sets, more if your child is toilet training)
*Appropriate outdoor clothing
If applicable, please also send:
*nappies/pull ups
*Bottles & formula
*Comforters
If your child borrows clothes from nursery, please can you make sure you return them as soon as possible as our stock does run low.
We also accept donations of clothes.
Dates for your diary…
Nursery reopens – Friday 2nd January 2026 @ 08:00am
Funding returns – Monday 5th January 2026
Term Dates for 2026
5th January – Friday 13th Feb
23rd Feb – Thursday 2nd April
20th April – Friday 22nd May
1st June – Friday 17th July.
Happy Days Day Nursery has an open door policy, if you have any questions please speak to management, we are always happy to help.