Busy Bees at Biggleswade Saxon Centre

Inspection of Busy Bees at Biggleswade Saxon Centre The Saxon Centre, Kingsfield Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 8AT

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children enjoy attending this welcoming nursery. The sensitively implemented key- person system helps children to settle and develop confidence. Staff know their key children well and use everyday activities to build bonds with them. For example, young children snuggle up with staff as they listen to stories. Staff follow the nursery's ethos and create a positive environment, showing a sincere interest in children. Children respond to this and become confident, inquisitive learners. For example, older children are engrossed as they use coloured dough and craft resources to create models. They confidently persevere and find solutions when the dough becomes stuck in a container.

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The provision is good

Promoting children's independence is a theme throughout the nursery, with staff building step by step on the skills children need to become independent. For instance, young children concentrate as they competently carry their dinner plates to the table. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and offer them sensitive support to understand their emotions and the impact their actions have on others. Children respond to this and show a growing maturity in sharing and resolving minor disagreements. Staff's timely explanations support children in gaining a clear understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe.

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need to do better?

n Managers continuously review all aspects of the nursery. This is strongly supported by the development plans staff use for each room, helping to ensure that they are constantly responding to children's needs. Managers and senior staff are good role models, supporting staff in developing their practice. Staff report that they receive practical supervision and feel valued and supported. n The curriculum is designed specifically to suit the needs of the children in each room. Staff continuously assess children, adapting the curriculum to ensure that children's ever-changing needs and interests are reflected. Managers demonstrate a strong knowledge of the curriculum and support staff in implementing it. This helps to ensure that children of all ages make good progress. n Staff note children's progress and offer them play opportunities that aid them in taking the next developmental step. They quickly address any weaker areas in

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need to do better?

children's development. Staff work well with other professionals, helping to ensure that children receive pertinent support. This particularly aids children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and they make good progress. Furthermore, staff use their good knowledge of children to utilise additional funding to help promote children's development. n Staff listen carefully and demonstrate to children that their communications and views are valued. For example, older children have a 'nursery committee',

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need to do better?

6 February 2024 through which they communicate their favourite activities and what else they would like to do. Staff sit with babies and play at their level. They ensure they hear a wide range of words, gently repeating and reinforcing new vocabulary. For instance, when playing with bubbles, staff repeat the word 'pop' when the bubbles burst. n Thoughtful practices support children in gaining an understanding of differences. For example, they take home 'Buzz', the nursery toy, and record their adventures. They share these with their friends, helping children to notice different ways of life, family compositions and backgrounds. n Children of all ages show an enjoyment of books. Staff read to children with excitement and animation, helping to bring the book to life. Older children eagerly recall favourite stories, describing the characters and predicting what will happen next. n Partnership with parents is strong. Staff include parents in the developments of

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need to do better?

the nursery. Parents value the daily verbal feedback they receive. They report that they receive regular updates about their child's developmental milestones, and staff work with them to help their children make good progress in their learning at nursery and at home. n Staff generally interact well with children, helping them to build on their play. However, at times, staff do not use these opportunities to fully engage children and extend their learning as much as possible. n The routines for children during periods of transition, such as at mealtimes, are not always as well organised as the normal routine. At these times, some children become restless, making it difficult for them to remain settled and engaged.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n support staff further to embed consistent teaching practices so that they fully extend children's learning n review the organisation at times of transition so that all children remain involved and continue to enjoy their time.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY239643 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10326758 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 112 Number of children on roll 121 Name of registered person Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01767 313139 Date of previous inspection 25 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Treetops Biggleswade registered in 2002 and is part of the Busy Bees Nurseries group. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The assistant centre director joined the inspectors on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspectors observed staff interactions with children during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The lead inspector completed a joint observation with the centre director. n Meetings were held between the inspectors, the centre director, assistant centre director, an area manager, deputy area manager and the quality manager. Inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspectors held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate

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Inspection activities

times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

6 February 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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