We’ve recently had a wonderful time creating a herb garden with the children.

They have enjoyed exploring the various scents and textures of the plants and we even used herbs like mint to make some refreshing mint-infused water. We also discussed the planting process, the different tools we use, and what’s needed to keep the plants healthy and thriving.

We’re celebrating our long standing team here at Primrose!

Our management team has a wealth of experience, with Miss Natasha being with us for 18 years and Miss Jade for 21 years now.

We’re super proud of all our team and the nurturing environment we provide.

Happy Days Nurseries recently brought managers and colleagues together from across the group for its 2026 Managers Conference and Annual Awards, a vibrant and uplifting event celebrating achievements, connection and shared ambition for the year ahead.

With 39 nurseries across South England and Wales, the conference offered a valuable opportunity to reunite teams, reflect on progress and align around future goals. The day was designed with a clear purpose: to celebrate how far the group has come, strengthen collaboration and energise leaders as they continue to support children, families and teams in their communities.

The atmosphere throughout the day was one of positivity, pride and genuine connection. Managers took time to share ideas, learn from one another and reconnect with colleagues, reinforcing the strength of the Happy Days network. A standout moment came from a lively and inspiring workshop delivered by Boogie Mites, whose music-filled session brought movement, laughter and high energy to the room. The workshop perfectly set the tone for the relaunch of Boogie Mites across Happy Days nurseries, reminding everyone of the power of music, rhythm and joy in early years learning.

The celebrations continued into the evening with the Annual Awards, hosted by compère John Dalziel, whose warmth and humour kept the night flowing and full of laughter. The awards recognised excellence across the business, highlighting the vital contributions of managers, practitioners, apprentices, SENCOs and support centre teams alike.

Award categories reflected the wide range of roles and achievements that make Happy Days what it is, from People Leader of the Year and Apprentice of the Year, to Inspiring Indoor and Outdoor Learning, Community Nursery of the Year and Nursery of the Year. The standard across all nominations was exceptionally high, serving as a powerful reminder of the passion, skill and commitment shown by teams every day.

This year’s winners included Happy Days Bradley Stoke, named Nursery of the Year, alongside individual colleagues recognised for inspirational practice, leadership and dedication. Special recognition awards also celebrated the often unseen work of support centre and nursery teams, reinforcing the message that every role plays a crucial part in the success of the organisation.

Happy Days would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all award sponsors for their continued support, as well as to partners Cosy and Hope Education for joining the celebrations. A special thank you also goes to Boogie Mites and John Dalziel for bringing such memorable energy to the event.

Above all, the conference and awards were a celebration of people. From shared laughter and singing to moments of reflection and pride, the event captured what makes Happy Days special: a strong sense of togetherness, shared values and a commitment to giving children the very best start in life.

As Happy Days looks ahead, the 2026 Managers Conference and Annual Awards served as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when passionate people come together with a shared purpose and an exciting foundation for the year to come.

To find your nearest nursery, visit:
https://happydaysnurseries.com/find-a-nursery/

For further details:
0800 783 3431
[email protected]

Potty training is an important milestone in your child’s development. We understand that all children develop at their own pace, but research shows it’s best for your child’s bowel and bladder health to stop using nappies, including reusable nappies, pull-ups and training pants, between 18 and 30 months.

It’s really important that children are out of all nappies well in advance of starting Reception year in school. The only exception should be children with a diagnosed medical need, such as a bladder or bowel condition. Being out of nappies not only helps children to feel confident, healthy and part of the group, it also means teachers can spend more time teaching and supporting children’s development in other ways.

How do I know when to start?

Almost all children can learn to be clean and dry with the right support, including children with special educational needs and disabilities
(SEND). Children with sensory needs may require additional time and support.

Potty training should be seen as a process and not a single event. It happens over time and children can practise sitting on a potty or toilet
from when they can sit up independently.

Research shows it’s best for your child’s bowel and bladder health to stop using nappies between 18 and 30 months. Even if your baby or child has SEND, you don’t need to wait to start toilet training. Toilet training is about learning skills, and these can be taught with extra help and/or
a clear routine. The longer you wait, the harder it can be for your child to learn the new routine and feel confident without nappies. Some children will show signs that it is the right time to stop using nappies. For example, they may know and tell you when they are weeing and the gap between wees will be at least an hour. But many children will not show clear signs and most will never ask to stop wearing nappies, especially if they wear disposable nappies or pull-ups that are designed to keep them feeling dry.

Getting ready

For many children, it’s helpful to bypass the potty altogether and focus on using the toilet (with an appropriate seat, step and rails) instead.
Not only does this get the child used to the environment of the bathroom for toileting, but it also helps to remove an additional transitional step by removing the need to then go from potty to toilet.

But whether choosing to start with a potty or go straight to the loo, there are lots of things you can do to help your child get ready to stop
wearing nappies. You can start getting ready as soon as your child can sit up unaided.

1 Change nappies as soon as they are wet or soiled
This teaches your baby that it is healthy to be clean and dry. If you can, change their nappy in the bathroom to help them link it with wees and poos.
2 Introduce your child to a potty or toilet
by reading some of the great potty books available with your child, helping their favourite doll or toy have a ‘turn’ on it and then encouraging them to sit on it themselves.
3 Regular potty or toilet sitting practice
can begin once they have been introduced to the potty or toilet, building up to several times a day.
4 Encourage a healthy diet and fluid intake
Give your child a diet which includes fibre (e.g. fruit, vegetables and brown bread) to help to avoid constipation, which can make potty training harder.
5 Drink plenty of water
divided between 6-8 drinks spread evenly through the day. When introducing solids, offer water in a cup.

Top tips

• Change nappies standing up on the floor (once your child can stand independently) in a bathroom and involve them in the
• process (e.g. flushing poo, washing hands, pushing trousers and pull-ups down and pulling back up).
• Give regular nappy-free time. Try this after they have done a wee and poo so they can experience the feeling of being nappy free, without having an accident. Help them to put the nappy back on after half an hour to keep them clean and dry.
• Talk about wee and poo in a matter-of-fact way

What will I need?

• A potty (or more than one) and/or a toilet training seat plus a step to support their feet. The step should be high enough
• that when seated on the toilet, the child’s knees are higher than their hips.
• Pants or reusable cloth training pants.

Stopping nappies

Once you’ve prepared and practised, it’s time to stop using nappies during the day. Choose a time that works for your family, when life is relatively calm, without major changes or disruptions. If your child has health issues affecting their bowel and/or bladder such
as constipation or a bladder infection, resolve those issues before you get rid of nappies.

Tell your child what’s happening
Let them know they’re saying goodbye to nappies and explain what using the potty or toilet means.

The change from nappies to pants may feel strange. Have options of different shapes, colours, fabric and fit if you feel your child may find this change challenging.

Now they are out of nappies, watch for signs they need to go and then guide them to the potty:

• They tell you they’re weeing or that they need to do a wee.
• They know and tell you when they are wet or dirty.
• Fidgeting, going quiet, or straining (which could look like
  pulling faces).
  
  When you see a sign, guide them to the potty or toilet and encourage them to try. Try to avoid prompting or asking your child if they need
  to use the potty too often. Encourage boys to sit down to wee especially while they are potty training. It helps them feel more relaxed and if they also need a poo, it will encourage them to go.
  
  If your child needs help with communicating, you can use Makaton signs, pictures or photographs of the toilet etc. Choose one which will
  help your child recognise that it is time to use the potty or toilet.
  
  If your child struggles to sit on the potty for long enough, try singing a song or reading a short book together. Encourage
  them to stay on the potty or toilet until the song or book is finished.

Give lots of praise and encouragement!

Celebrate every attempt and success, no matter how small. Praise your child for sitting on the potty or toilet – any wee or poo is a bonus!

Top tips
Stay calm with accidents: Clean up together, gently remind them about the potty or toilet, and move on. If you do not make
a fuss when they have an accident, they will not feel anxious and worried, and are more likely to be successful the next time.

Be prepared when you venture out: If you can stay home for the first couple of days you might find it easier, but when you do go out and about, take plenty of changes of clothes. You might find a travel potty and a washable, absorbent car seat liner helpful.

Where do I go for help?

You can get help from your nursery, pre-school team, health visitor and children’s centre or family hub.

You can ask about potty training during any conversations you have with your health visiting team. You can expect your health visitor to talk about potty training at your child’s 9-12 month health review

Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools expands to 39 settings with acquisition of Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group

Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools is delighted to announce the next exciting step in our ambitious growth plan with the acquisition of Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group. This expansion brings our total number of settings to 39, including our nursery in the final stages of construction, Boorley Green.

Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group comprises two well-established nurseries in Haywards Heath: Primrose House Nursery and Snowdrop House Nursery. Primrose House is located in a bright, spacious detached building in the heart of Haywards Heath. Snowdrop House is nestled within Franklands Village, positioned beside a beautiful park with open fields and woodland, and features a purpose-built, secure play area and dedicated baby garden.

Both nurseries share our values and commitment to providing children with the very best care and education. Their ethos reflects a deep belief in nurturing independent, motivated learners within a safe, stimulating, and well-resourced environment, an approach that aligns seamlessly with our own. We are pleased to confirm that the existing staff teams will remain in place, and we look forward to working alongside them to support children to become confident, curious, and enthusiastic learners for life.

Commenting on the acquisition, Kim Herbert, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery Group into the Happy Days family. Their high-quality care and education complement our own vision of giving every child the best start in life. We look forward to spending time in our new nurseries, getting to know our new colleagues and families, and learning more about their communities.”

Carole Ann Benson, outgoing owner of Snowdrop House Montessori Group, said, “It’s been my great honour and pleasure to run nursery schools for 30 years. My husband and I decided it was the right time to step away and fulfil other lifetime ambitions. Snowdrop House Montessori Nursery and Primrose House Montessori Nursery have excellent reputations in West Sussex, and we wished to pass them on to a group with an amazing reputation. Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools has the same high standards of childcare and education as we do. I am confident that the nurseries will go from strength to strength under their leadership. I will greatly miss the nurseries and my amazing team.”

Anyone interested in discussing opportunities to sell their nursery, or developers seeking a trusted nursery partner, is invited to contact:
Kevin Higgs: [email protected]
Kim Herbert: [email protected]
Marcia Viccars: [email protected]