Children at Happy Days Nursery and Pre-School in Bath arrive “happy and eager” each day, thanks to a team that consistently goes above and beyond to meet their needs. According to a recent Ofsted inspection, the nursery continues to deliver excellence in early years education and care.
Located on Kellaway Lane in Combe Down, Happy Days Nursery caters to 141 children aged 0 to 4, offering 72 places. Following the inspection on March 12, the nursery retained its ‘Good’ rating, with all key areas rated positively, including quality of education, behaviour, personal development, and leadership and management.
Inspectors praised the nursery’s warm, nurturing environment and the strong, trusting relationships between staff and children. “Babies feel safe and secure, cuddling into staff who consistently attend to their care routines,” the report highlights. Children demonstrate good behaviour, learning kindness, politeness, and responsibility through effective role modelling and gentle guidance from staff.
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The nursery features safe, accessible indoor and outdoor play spaces, encouraging children to explore independently and build confidence. Staff enthusiasm shines as they motivate children through activities tailored to their interests. Toddlers enthusiastically join action songs, engage in creative crafting, and enjoy imaginative play in the mud kitchen.
For older children, the nursery offers stimulating learning experiences. Pre-schoolers explore mathematical concepts, collaborate on model making, and invent games like imaginative bus trips with friends and staff. Babies benefit from rich sensory activities such as melting ice, sand and paint play, bubble chasing, and interactive reading sessions.
While the overall provision is strong, inspectors identified an area for improvement: group activities can sometimes become overcrowded, leading to frustration or disengagement. Addressing this will help ensure all children remain fully involved and interested.
Teaching quality is robust, with staff planning and delivering a broad curriculum tailored to individual learning goals. Children develop skills that prepare them well for school, including self-service at mealtimes and dressing independently. Praise and encouragement are key strategies that boost children’s confidence.
Progress monitoring is effective and responsive. Staff quickly identify any developmental concerns and work closely with parents and professionals to support each child’s potential. The nursery’s responsible use of additional funding further enhances learning outcomes.
Language development is a particular strength. Staff enrich children’s vocabulary through song bags, picture cards, and translating aids, introducing words like “crunch” and “croissant” in everyday contexts to deepen understanding.
Healthy living is integral to daily routines. Children enjoy ample fresh air, physical activities including yoga, and wholesome meals and snacks served in a sociable setting. The nursery carefully meets individual dietary needs and preferences.
Leadership at Happy Days Nursery demonstrates clear oversight with a commitment to continuous improvement. Staff receive meaningful support and value, promoting their well-being alongside that of the children.
Parental feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Families appreciate the smooth transitions within the nursery and the support given as children prepare for school. Safeguarding measures are effective, with staff well-trained in their roles and a secure, safe environment maintained at all times.
Nursery manager Jodie-Ann Baggs expressed pride in the team’s achievement: “The GOOD Ofsted rating reflects the caring, kind, and warm approach our staff take every day. The relationships they build with children make our nursery truly special.”
Early years operations manager Tamsin Treves added: “This rating is a fantastic recognition of the team’s dedication. From nurturing environments to engaging daily interactions, the Bath team demonstrates excellence in early education and care.”
The nursery also extends its support to families beyond its doors by lending resources to aid children’s development at home.
Happy Days Nursery and Pre-School Bath operates weekdays from 7am to 6pm year-round, staffed by 36 professionals, 17 of whom hold relevant qualifications at levels 2 and 3.