Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford

Unit 3a, Derriford Business Park, Derriford, Plymouth PL6 5QZ
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9.9 198 Reviews
  • Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford, Plymouth
Happy Days at Derriford has both indoor and outdoor spaces for children to play and grow during their time at nursery.

Staff support children to embrace outdoor play and have as many new experiences as they can in a safe and secure environment.

The nursery provides equipment and furniture that supports children’s physical development over muscle control and co-ordination.

Two nursery chefs provide fresh meals for children every day, but children can also be involved in learning about food preparation and taught how to be independent at meal times.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Zara Austin (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 50

Total Places for Children

  • 146

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Full Day Care Fees
    0–2 Years: £72.22 per day (08:00–18:00)
    2–3 Years: £72.22 per day (08:00–18:00)
    Over 3 Years: £72.22 per day (08:00–18:00)

    Government funding is available and can be used to reduce daily fees. Further information is available on our website, or you can call and speak with our knowledgeable nursery team. We’re here to ensure you receive all the support and funding you’re entitled to.

    Please note, fee information is correct as of Dec 2025.

  • For fee information, contact the Nursery directly.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00-19:00
    Tuesday 07:00-19:00
    Wednesday 07:00-19:00
    Thursday 07:00-19:00
    Friday 07:00-19:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford Reviews (198)

9.9

Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.888) out of 10, based on 38 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford has 198 reviews.

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Reviewer Connection to Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford
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Review from Phoebe H (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can't rate this nursery any higher. My little boy has settled in so well, and the staff have supported both him and myself through his whole journey. As with any parent, sending your little one to a childcare provider can be an anxious time but each and every one of the staff members have been absolutely
wonderful and have done everything they could to ease the worry. My little one now runs off into the room and can't wait to go to nursery. He has excelled so much in their care.
The staff in his room are always attentive to his needs, and it feels as though they treat him like their own. They have even let him adopt one of the teddies (Mr Teds) as he loves him so much and would gravitate to him when there.
His key worker is wonderful with him and even has a little handshake with him.
The manager has been fantastic and has always done everything in her power to ensure that he has a positive experience. I can't thank her and the staff enough for the care that they have given my son.
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Review from Jean L (Mother of Child) published on 31 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been a parent at Happy Days Derriford for 9 years. All 4 of my children have attended the nursery and I honestly wouldn't choose anywhere else. The staff are so attentive and really look after all the children's needs. Being next to Derriford really helps with the commute into work as it's so
close by if the nursery need me at all. I am always kept up to date on my children's day and the new app is so easy to access so I can see them through observations when I'm at home and missing them. I have recommended this nursery to others and I will continue to recommend the nursery once I have finished using it!
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Review from K P (Father of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Happy days has been absolutely amazing with our little boy. They helped him to settle in making sure that he was comfortable and happy here before he started. They even offered to provide him with a lot of settling in sessions because he was so little. He has settled incredibly and really bonded to
his key people as well as the other people in the room. they have made myself and him feel so welcome and really accommodated our needs.
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Review from H R (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been using happy days nursery for 6 years now, both of my children have attended with one currently still with them. Both children are always so happy attending nursery, they have made special bonds with the staff and children.
My son is currently going through assessments due to not hitting
milestones and the support has been outstanding, he receives 1:1 sessions every week alongside his key worker to help him with development. They support me as a parent and also go out of there way help us as a family.
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Review from K M (Father of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been a parent at happy days for over a year now and I can say I have been made very welcome. All the staff I have met are lovely and I love how special and welcome they have made my child in the room. I have felt my Child is learning so much and has come so far whilst being nursery, I love seeing
all the lovely different activities set up and I love that I can see pictures of how her day has been on the parent app whilst they keep me up to date with her meals and changes. I will recommend this nursery to anyone!
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Review from Stephen B (Father of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been a parent of Happy Days Derriford for 2 years where my daughter attends the Discoveries room. My daughter runs into nursery excited to find her key person and other staff members. I was a very anxious parent that struggles to trust anyone with my daughter but the nursery manager and management
team are really welcoming everyday with knowing my name which makes it personal. I really appreciate being updated everyday on parent zone of my daughters adventures and how she is achieving in her milestones.
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Review from Michael W (Father of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Explorers 2 have been great at settling my son and have really taken there time to get to know him.
He has bonded so well with key person and all the other girls in his room.
The communication is really good and they thoroughly tell us about his day.
My son has grown in confidence since starting
the setting.
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Review from Gemma N (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been going to happy days since June 2022 and will be sad to be leaving for school this September. Every single member of staff at happy days is amazing. I know my daughter is so well looked after. So much so we've put our daughter (yet to be born ) on the waiting list for September 2026.
What I particularly like other than the lovely staff and amazing care is staff only send my daughter home she is really poorly to be in nursery, rather than trivial things like a stuffy nose or 'if they're having a bad day' which I have heard other nurseries do. This helps with working at Derriford and not having to leave to pick her up all the time, but also knowing if I do then I need to take it seriously as it rarely happens. My daughter loves it at happy days, she's so excited to see her Key Workers in the mornings and tells me she wants to be like them when she grows up. I can't thank happy days enough!
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Review from M L (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has attended happy days since he was 11 months old.
All the staff have been amazing all the way up to pre school. They are engaging, fun and really do learn what is best for your child individually.


All his prior teachers are still very much loved by our boy!


We are gutted our youngest

can't attend this nursery due to no availability!
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Review from Lucy D (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have 3 children at the nursery and have always been so impressed!
The staff are absolutely amazing! We have twins and they are so helpful and generous with their time. They help me get the boys to and from the car. They care for my children as though they are their own.
We will be so sad to leave!
I can't thank the Happy Days staff enough!
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Review from R M (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Lovely friendly nursery. Team are supportive and caring. My son participates in different activities for the day and enjoys all his meals. The team keep me well informed and I have regular daily update via an app.
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Review from C M (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My eldest daughter attended Happy Days 8 years ago. When I had my youngest daughter I knew that I wanted her to go to Happy Days. The staff are so kind and caring and the reason I can go to work without worrying!
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Review from C M (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing nursery for my little girl she's been going since 9 months old and loves going in every day. The staff are really friendly and accommodating. My little girl has multiple allergies but these are dealt with so well she doesn't miss out on any food everything is made safe for her in the room.
I wouldn't change anything about the nursery.
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Review from T P (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very pleased with the nursery. My kid loves it there. Staff are very friendly, kind and caring towards the kids. The management staff are also very nice, flexible and accommodative. Overall very satisfied.
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Review from K O (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has great facilities & has a welcoming atmosphere. The staff are always so friendly, greeting us as we enter & leave which adds to the positive experience. Any issues/concerns we may have are dealt with promptly and taken seriously. We love the app that allows us to see how he is doing here
- although would love more regular updates. All-in-all it is a lovely nursery & we feel our child is learning a lot. What would make it even better is if there were 'halal' food options.
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Review from H W (Father of Child) published on 12 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending happy days since January 2025, He has settled into explorers one really well with lots of confident. the staff in explorers one are very lovely and very helpful and supports me and my on a daily basis.
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Review from V R (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter loves the Happy Days family. She has such fun when here. She has made lots of friends. childcare is preparing our children for school. Happy Days does this and its an amazing environment. Staff are great too.
Thank you.
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Review from R G (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has had the most wonderful care and experience since starting at Happy Days nursery. She has experienced so much from explorative play with sand and animals to a variety of different foods for lunch and dinner. I am so happy to leave her every time as I know that her key workers and all
nursery staff have her best interests at heart. I would recommend it to anyone.
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Review from T R (Mother of Child) published on 12 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Happy Days nursery. I haven't words to say how it. I am very happy and I feeling save because my son is in good hands.
lovely place for kids. staff and food.
just I want to say thank you for everything you do.
My son always be very happy.
Definitely I recommend Happy Days Nursery.
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Review from M T (Father of Child) published on 12 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We're very happy with the overall care offered by Happy Days. I have sent all three of my children to Happy Days and the quality of the care has been fab.
Thanks to all the staff.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.888)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.888) out of 10 for Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 38 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 38 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.888 for Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford is calculated as follows: ( (411 Excellents x 5) + (39 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 456 Ratings = 4.888
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford is based on 38 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 146 number of registered child places is 29.2, which has been reached with 38 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (7)

Meet the Team (1)

Zara

Zara Austin

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Zara has worked in childcare for 17 years, 7 of those at Happy Days where she started as a Peripatetic Deputy Manager. Accompanied by her wealth of experience, Zara has also received a Level 3 Diploma, a Level 4 Team leading qualification, and a Level 5 award in Management. Zara is loving her new role and enjoys building relationships with her colleagues and the families in her care.

Frequently Asked Questions about Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford

What is the Age Range of Children that Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford accepts?

Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford Open?

Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford is open: Monday 07:00-19:00, Tuesday 07:00-19:00, Wednesday 07:00-19:00, Thursday 07:00-19:00, Friday 07:00-19:00.

How many Children does Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford have capacity for?

Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford has capacity for a total of 146 Children.

How far is Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford to the centre of Plymouth?

3.3 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford has an Enhanced Service - more info.