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

  • We know childcare is such an important part of family life, and we’re here to make it as simple, clear, and affordable as possible. There are numerous government schemes available to help with the cost, and we’ll guide you through your options so you can find what works best for your family. Why not get in touch today for a personalised quote? You can head to our website and take a look at our Affordable Childcare page to see the different types of support you might be entitled to.


    Did you know Happy Days offers government funded childcare? Depending on your child’s age and your circumstances, you could receive up to 570 or even 1,140 hours of funded care each year — giving you extra support when you need it most.


    We like to keep things open and straightforward when it comes to fees, so there are no surprises. Click the button below to see our weekly, daily, and session rates for the exceptional care we’re proud to provide. And if you’d like to talk through your options, your Nursery Manager will be more than happy to help, we’re always just a friendly chat away.

  • 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 S P (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love my little girl going to this nursery, I feel very safe to leave her there and I know she is in the best hands, her room is a lovely size and they are always doing great activities. The staff and nursery assistants are all amazing and great patience
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Review from Suzy N (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little one has come on leaps and bounds since going to Happy Days Derriford, she has thoroughly enjoyed her time there. This month she has enjoyed all the activities and meeting the easter bunny. She struggled going back to nursery after having a few days off for easter but the staff have been so
kind and understanding and now she is back to her normal self. She has so much confidence and I think it's all thanks to Happy Days.
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Review from Gabrielle B (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Happy Days Derriford have been super helpful to us from removing our daughter from an unsatisfactory childminder. Our daughter has blossomed at Happy Days. She was very shy when she started and an extremely fussy eater, she is now so excited to go to nursery, she doesn’t even look back to say bye!!
And her eating habits have improved both in nursery and at home. Her transition from Nursery to School in September will hopefully be a smooth one thanks to the staff's hard work and patience. We would highly recommend Happy Days Derriford.
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Review from Mel B (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I'm so pleased with my child's progress and care at Happy Days Derriford. The staff in his room are fantastic and it doesn't matter who greets us at the door, everyone is so warm and welcoming to my son. I'm always impressed by the range of meals and snacks given to the children, and I've recently had
the plan for preparing my child for starting school which looks fantastic and thorough. I highly recommend this nursery.
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Review from Jess H (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery have been so welcoming to both of my children, my youngest loves going into her room and is always happy to leave me at drop off! My son is more shy but with the exceptional support of his key worker he really enjoys his days at nursery and is always very excited to tell me about what he
has been doing. They are always doing lots of fun activities and I am confident leaving both of my children in their care.
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Review from Sophie B (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The staff and management were really helpful and welcoming when settling my little one into the nursery and were very understanding. The whole nursery team are welcoming to both parents and the children. The activities offered are varied and healthy nutritious meal is made every day for my child. I
know he is in safe hands when he’s at nursery and enjoys all the activities and sensory toys they have to offer.
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Review from Lauren G (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
An amazing nursery. So glad I changed my daughter's previous nursery to this one. A very welcoming, supportive, lovely bunch of ladies (& gent!). My daughter has thrived since being a part of Happy Days Derriford and wish I had done it sooner!
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Review from Sally S (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely nursery with a good atmosphere. Staff are friendly and approachable. Settle in sessions were perfect for my daughter as she adjusted to starting nursery, she gets excited when we talk about taking her in.
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Review from V B (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started nursery last year when he was 8 months old the staff were so reassuring. My son loves going to nursery the activities they do every day are great and the food menu is very varied. My son is always happy at drop off/pick up which is a big sign he enjoys nursery. The staff are so lovely
I would highly recommend this nursery to anyone.
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Review from A C (Father of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Happy Days Derriford is a friendly, welcoming nursery. Our daughter is very happy and always skips in with a smile. To quote my 3yr old "my teacher is the best" that is all I need to know as a parent. They are also so accommodating about her dairy intolerance I know she is in safe and caring hands.
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Review from Amy Y (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son loves this nursery so much. Since starting he has become more confident, his speech has improved and he’s learning so much. The staff are encouraging, nurturing and very friendly. They make delicious homemade meals and our son often comes home with artwork which is lovely. Thank you for everything.
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Review from Danielle E (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The child is at the centre of what they do. Fun filled days which have allowed my child to grow. I never worry about his day at nursery. Food is cooked on site which he enjoys. They do long days for those of us working in healthcare with unpredictable finish times and early starts. Very accommodating
if a last minute extra day is needed.
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Review from E B (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been looking for a nursery that fits my values so that my two year old could socialise with other children his age. The staff at Happy Days Derriford were so welcoming and answered any questions we had whilst being friendly and approachable. My child had two settling in sessions where his key
worker took the time to get to know him and his likes and dislikes, and he barely even noticed me leaving as he was having such a good time. I can’t wait for him to start properly next week!
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Review from Kathryn B (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since Covid restrictions have been lifted, it has been lovely being able to go into the nursery for drop-off and pick up and get back to normality. All through the lockdown, the nursery has been very professional and cautious and the staff have made the children and parents feel at ease through a difficult
time.
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Review from L M (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Really happy with how my little boy has come along with his speech and how well behaved he is. He is always so happy after spending the day with the team and all his little friends. I’m very grateful that he is so settled there.
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Review from H H (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford is such a welcoming nursery. The staff are so friendly and helpful, putting the children's needs first. There is a wide range of activities and resources. The days are fun-filled and action-packed, and educational. My children have been very happy!
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Review from A H (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been in attendance since she was 9 months old and has flourished since being there. All the staff members are friendly and so attentive to the children and their needs. We are coming to the end of our time at Happy Days as my daughter will be leaving to start school, her key worker and
the assistants in her room have helped ready her for this transition. I'm only sorry there isn't another Happy Days nursery nearer to the city centre so that my second child could attend a nursery with the same ethos/management style etc.
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Review from Laura W (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son started at Happy Days in August 2021 and has been very happy there. All the staff are very friendly and helpful and our little one is thriving. They have helped us in encouraging him to crawl and now walk as well as feeding from beakers and feeding himself. Thank you all so much.
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Review from Tracy W (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has really flourished at Happy Days Derriford over the two and a half years she has been attending.
The management are approachable, friendly and open to ideas. All of the staff are kind and happy (how they know all of the children’s names is beyond me!).
I’ve had constant contact with
her Key Persons, who have personalised her care and have kept me up to date with her progress.
My daughter is stimulated and is learning continuously.
The menu is varied, healthy and sounds delicious.


The facilities are appropriate, fun and clean, with ever changing themes.


I have no hesitation in recommending this nursery to anybody who is looking for a home from home for their child.

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Review from L K (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Happy Days Nursery & Preschool - Derriford has been an excellent, friendly and caring place for our child before and throughout the pandemic. His creativity has been nurtured and celebrated and we are very happy with the standard of care given.
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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.

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.