Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, Bath

Sensory play for babies, a mud kitchen for toddlers and imaginary bus journeys for preschool children give this Combe Down nursery a recognisable character. In March 2025, those experiences sat alongside opportunities for children to choose their play and move between playrooms and gardens. The emphasis was on participation and growing independence.

At its 12 March 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated Happy Days Nursery & Pre-School, Bath Good and found safeguarding effective. The nursery accepts children from 3 months to 60 months and has 72 places in total, a whole-setting capacity rather than a room size.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: the day combines play, communication and physical activity with support for growing independence.

In March 2025, babies investigated ice as it melted, explored paint and sand, and practised movement using equipment suited to their age. Toddlers sang with actions and used the mud kitchen for pretend play; preschool children explored mathematics through model building and shared games. These examples show how experiences changed with children's stage of development.

Adult involvement extended children's ideas. During that same month, dough play became an opportunity to compare lengths and put them in order, while construction prompted children to think about joining materials together. Books and song bags supported younger children's vocabulary, with picture cards and translation tools used for specific language goals. Learning was woven into play.

Children's interests helped shape activities in March 2025, giving staff a starting point for encouraging participation. For babies, this included chasing bubbles and sharing books with an adult, alongside sensory exploration. These offered different ways to join in: movement, close contact and looking at a story together.

The physical layout also supported choice that month. Accessible play spaces allowed children to explore and move between the indoor rooms and gardens, rather than keeping every experience in one room. For families who value outdoor play, the useful feature is that connection between spaces and the opportunity for children to direct their own activity.

Group activities were less consistent. In March 2025, some became crowded enough for children to disengage or become frustrated. Better organisation to involve each child was the improvement required.

In March 2025, babies received cuddles and consistent attention to their care routines, while staff handled minor behaviour difficulties gently. Children practised everyday independence by serving food and changing clothes. Such tasks gave them opportunities to take responsibility within familiar routines.

At the March 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff tracked development carefully, responded promptly to emerging difficulties and worked with families and outside professionals to support children requiring additional help. That is a dated judgement about practice, rather than a promise about an individual child's support.

Home learning had practical backing in March 2025: families could borrow books and resources covering dental care and multilingual activities. Staff also kept parents involved as children moved through the nursery and towards school. This connected nursery experiences with family life.

Meals and snacks were eaten together in March 2025, with dietary needs accommodated; outdoor activity and yoga also formed part of the day.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Kellaway Lane, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 5EA. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas. Those closures matter for families planning continuous childcare around work.

Funding and Paid Extras

Government-funded places were offered in March 2025. For a proposed attendance arrangement, a written quotation should distinguish childcare charges from food and non-food consumables so families can assess the total commitment.

• Participation in group activities. The March 2025 improvement concerned activities becoming too busy for some children. On a visit, ask how staff now organise shared activities and help children remain involved.
• Your child's daily routine. Sensory play and independent tasks featured in March 2025. Ask how settling, rest and room transitions would work for your child's age and needs.
• Attendance and costs. The nursery opens throughout the year but closes for bank holidays and Christmas. Ask for the booking pattern and an itemised written quotation for your intended attendance, including any funded hours.

Happy Days Bath suits families seeking year-round weekday childcare in Combe Down who value play, outdoor access and opportunities for independence. In March 2025, children chose play across indoor rooms and gardens, while group organisation needed attention. The useful distinction is between that whole-setting assessment and how the daily routine fits your particular child.