Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead

Inspection of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead Turners Crescent, St Michaels Mead, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 4FZ

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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 are warmly welcomed into this nurturing environment. An inviting reception area supports children to transition smoothly into the nursery. Staff get to know the children well, with a focus on building strong attachments. This is evident through robust settling-in routines, helping children to feel safe and secure. Children have an immense sense of belonging. Babies eagerly find photos of themselves, and older children proudly show visitors their family books, which help them to understand what makes them unique.

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The provision is good

Staff plan a broad and ambitious curriculum tailored to support children's development across all areas of learning. For example, activities, such as litter picking, and visits to the local park help children build on their understanding of the world around them. The staff team works cohesively to meet children's needs, creating a warm, inclusive atmosphere that children thrive in.

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The provision is good

Staff act as positive role models, which helps children to behave exceptionally well. They encourage children to make democratic choices through their pre-school council and activities, such as show and tell, give children a strong voice. Children thrive in their roles of 'super helpers', where they are given responsibilities to look after the environment and help staff with tasks. Children show an immense amount of pride as they carry out these tasks, demonstrating their very high levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n There is a focus on communication and language, which underpins all aspects of the curriculum across the nursery. Staff understand the importance of modelling language, along with repetition. Babies confidently babble to staff and respond positively as they use songs to introduce new words. Single words, such as 'scoop', are repeated to help children learn new words, and older children use a range of complex language, helping them to be confident communicators. n Staff provide a range of interesting activities for children. For example, they develop a good understanding of mathematical concepts, such as 'longer' and 'shorter', as they compare measurements with their feet. Sometimes, groups are too large and the intentions for activities are not always clear. This results in some older children becoming disengaged, and they do not fully benefit from the meaningful learning. n Children are encouraged to develop their independence through self-care tasks,

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need to do better?

such as wiping their noses and faces after meals. They demonstrate their abilities during lunchtime as they competently serve their own food and pour their own drinks. This fully supports children to build on the skills they need in preparation for the next stage of their education.

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need to do better?

11 December 2024 n Children have a love for books throughout the nursery. Staff ensure that they provide a literacy-rich environment, linking books to many of the children's activities. They support children to use books to broaden their knowledge. Story times are engaging. Staff read with animation and use props to bring stories to life. They use effective questioning to deepen children's understanding and encourage enquiry. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The nursery works closely with a range of professionals and parents to ensure that the needs of children with SEND are fully met. Strategies, such as use of a sensory room and self-regulation baskets, help children to manage their emotions. This helps children to make good progress from their starting points. n Parent partnerships are well established. Parents are actively involved in their children's learning through initiatives such as home learning bags and a lending

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need to do better?

library. They attend a range of events and are kept up to date with their children's learning via development summaries and handovers. Parents speak highly of the nursery, noting that staff are incredibly caring and dedicated and provide a wonderful environment for their children. n Leaders support the staff well, providing regular supervision to develop their already good knowledge and skills. They are highly reflective and use a range of strategies to evaluate the nursery, which includes, parent and staff surveys. Views are considered and actioned on to ensure that families receive the highest quality service, and children receive the very best outcomes.

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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 review the implementation of group activities for older children so that they fully benefit from the meaningful learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 125064 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10367580 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 80 Number of children on roll 97 Name of registered person Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01279 755522 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bishops Stortford St Michaels Mead registered in 1999. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a small group activity with the manager. n The children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. The inspector spoke with parents and carers during the inspection and also took account of their written views. The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the nursery and a selection of other records.

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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

11 December 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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Inspection activities

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