Autumn Term 2025 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.
In the Summer term we had Caitlin B, Serejah, and Kelsie joined our team. Caitlin B has been our long term student and has completed her level 2 in Childcare and is now working towards her level 3. Serejah has been longing for a career in Childcare since she was young, Serejah will be working towards her level 3 Childcare.
Maternity leave
Autumn term Emma and Gabi both from the Butterfly room will be on maternity leave until May 2026.
If Emma is your Child’s person Kayley and Meleia will be taking over this group and it will be overseen by Briony and Becki to ensure this does not impact on your Child’s development.
Information for new parents:
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.
Becki – Deputy Manager – Becki is level 4 trained and works in the Butterfly and Caterpillar room. Becki enjoys camping and walking with her dog.
Emma –Assistant Deputy Manager – Emma is level 4 trained and works in the butterfly room. Emma enjoys walking her dog and drawing.
Anne – Anne has foundation degree in childhood studies and works in the preschool room. Anne is a mummy to 3 grown up children and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, camping and sewing.
Kim – is senco assistant works in the Pre-school room with SEND Children. Kim has level 2 in childcare and working towards level 3 in childcare. Kim is a mum to grown up children and enjoys baking, crafts and likes knitting in her spare time.
Sophie –Is level 4 trained and will be moving to the Pre-school whilst deciding on the career as a Teacher. We will miss Sophie in the Caterpillar babies. Sophie enjoys singing, shopping and reading and researching activities to do with the all ages of children.
Chloe – works in the caterpillar room – rising two’s room and is level 2 trained and working towards her level 3 qualification. Chloe enjoys baking, trips and days out and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Alex – works in the caterpillar – baby room and is working towards 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.
Gabi- works in the butterfly room and is level 4 trained Gabi is a mummy and enjoys diamond art and swimming.
Kayley – works in the preschool 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.
Kayla – Kayla is level 3 trained. Kayla works in the caterpillar room. She is a mummy to a little boy and enjoys singing and drama.
Caitlin – Caitlin is level 3 in health and social care and has currently completed her level 2 in childcare qualification. Caitlin works in the Caterpillar rising two room and enjoys shopping.
Learning: Our Curriculum:
The 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 September are:
Caterpillars: Hockey cokey, I can sing a rainbow, I’ve got a body
Butterflies: My great body, incredible me
Preschool: all about me: Marvellous Me
October:
Caterpillars: Autumn/Halloween – 5 little pumpkins, autumn leaves are falling down
Butterflies: Autumn: were going on leaf hunt and the leaf thief
Preschool:
November:
Caterpillars: Autumn: Down at the station,10 fat sausages, horsey horsey
Butterflies: Autumn: Wakey wakey big brown bear, Millie Mae in Autumn.
Preschool: Autumn: Owl Babies
December:
Caterpillars: Happy and you know it, Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star, 5 little snowmen, Jingle Bells
Butterflies – Christmas – Dear Santa, that’s not my snowman
Preschool – Christmas, one snowy night
Home learning Packs:
We introduced homework packs for the Preschool 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 babies development at home, please let us know and we can support you with this.
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 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.
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. 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.
Funding from September 2025
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)
If you require extra sessions from September or January 2026, please let us know as soon as possible so we can reserve these for you as we have very few places available.
Nursery uniform
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.
Nursery uniform prices:
Polo tops – £
Sweaters – £
These are available in purple and navy. Please ask for an order form.
Menu
Winter menu is under review, we would love to hear your ideas or your child’s favourite meal at home, please email to the nursery.
Birthdays
Happy Days would like to wish a Happy Birthday to all the Children and Staff celebrating their Birthdays in September. October, November and December.
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: happydaysdaynursery@hotmail.co.uk
01652 648228.
Parents evening
Parents evening will be held on:
Monday 24th November @ 18:00 – 19:30 – Caterpillar room
Tuesday 25th November @ 18:00 – 19:30 – Butterfly room
Wednesday 26th November @ 18:00 – 19:30 – Pre-school room & (SEND) Dragonfly.
Please book your 10-minute appointment with your Child’s keyperson, if you feel you need longer than 10 minutes, please inform your Child’s keyperson at the time of booking the appointment.
Reading
We would like to invite your Child’s Grandparent to the nursery to read a story to the class, if any Grandparents would like to come in and read a story, please let us know.
Halloween
Week commencing 27th October Children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes to the nursery. On Friday 31st October we will celebrate with a party food and party games.
Photo Day:
Eddie Nolan is visiting nursery on Monday 13th October. Further information will follow.
Children in Need
Friday 14th November is Children in need day, this will be a party celebration day, more information to follow.
Christmas Concert – Pre-school
Parents of Pre-school Children leaving for school September 2026, are invited to attend our Christmas Nativity @ St Andrews Church on Thursday 11th December @ 18:00 – 18:30 Refreshment will be in sale afterwards. Tickets will be on sale from Monday 5th November, £1 per ticket all proceeds go towards the Church.
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
Collection of children:
Pre-school children will be collected from the front door on an evening to help with the congestion. If you know your child will be collected at a regular time such as 17:30 then please let us know and we will have your child ready for you.
Reports
Your Child’s keyperson will issue you a brief summary report of your Child’s progress in December and a full summary report in July/August.
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…
Funding term dates for 2025.
Monday 1st September – Friday 24th October
Monday 5th November – Friday 12th December
Photo Day – Wednesday 16th October
Children’s Christmas parties –
Tuesday 9th December – Am Session
Thursday 11th December Nursery Christmas Lunch @ 12:00
Friday 13th December party – Am session.
Christmas Nativity:
Thursday 11th December @ 18:00 – 18:30
Nursery closed – Wednesday 24th December @ 15:00 (To be confirmed)
Nursery reopens – Monday 5th January 2026.
Happy Days Day Nursery has an open door policy, if you have any questions please speak to management, we are always happy to help.