Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford

Inspection of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford Mallow Road, Thetford IP24 2YD

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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

The nursery offers a tailored approach to helping children to settle in. This means that staff have time to build relationships with their key children. Staff support children sensitively when they move into the next room in the nursery. Children settle quickly. Staff are warm, kind and responsive. They get to know children and their routines very quickly. Children readily approach staff for cuddles and reassurance. Staff teach children to be independent. At mealtimes, children pour their own drinks and serve their own food. Children wash their own hands. Staff encourage children to express themselves. They have created a pre-school council. This empowers children to offer their views and have their voices heard.

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The provision is good

Staff support children to manage their behaviour. They praise and encourage children. Staff help them understand that they need to listen to each other. Children are polite and well behaved. Staff assess children's development closely. They quickly identify when children require further support. Staff use a bespoke curriculum to support children to make progress. They ensure all children are involved in the learning opportunities they provide. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds make good progress with their learning and development. All children are prepared for the next stage in their education.

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need to do better?

n There is a strong focus on supporting children to be healthy. Children enjoy a range of freshly prepared healthy snacks and meals. Babies demonstrate good skills at using spoons to feed themselves. Younger children brush large sets of teeth. They read stories about going to the dentist. Children in the pre-school learn what foods are healthy and the impact these have on their bodies. n Staff keep children safe and secure and teach children how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they explain why they need to tuck their chairs in. Staff teach children how to use scissors safely and why it is important that they have their shoes on. Outside, children explore the sensory garden. They work with staff to build obstacle courses and use bats and balls. These provide challenge for their physical skills. n Staff plan stimulating and engaging activities for all children. Toddlers explore sensory materials. They enjoy using fishing nets to catch balls. This helps them

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need to do better?

develop their coordination. Older children enjoy having play dough tea parties. They roll, squeeze and pat dough to create cakes. They wash up the crockery they have used and dry them with cloths. This helps them develop their physical skills. n Children develop a love of reading. Staff read to individual and groups of children throughout the day. Books are available at every activity that staff provide. This helps children learn about the topics they are exploring. Staff sing

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need to do better?

18 February 2025 frequently. They speak clearly and explain what words mean. Staff use sign language and gestures. Children make good progress with their communication development. n Staff teach children about different concepts in an interesting way. Children draw around their feet. They carefully colour their feet and then cut these out. Staff help children to compare the sizes of their feet to different items. They teach children about the words 'longer' and 'shorter'. Sometimes, teaching is inconsistent. This means that children do not always have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and develop their skills further. n Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They appreciate the high standard of care and the quality of education their children receive. They praise the professionalism of staff. Parents appreciate the regular communication they receive about their children's development. They comment that the information

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need to do better?

they receive helps them support for their children's learning at home. n Staff work closely with parents and other professionals in order to meet the needs of children. Leaders have a clear view of the strengths of the nursery. They have navigated recent difficult events sensitively. Staff feel very well supported by leaders. Leaders carry out regular supervision meetings with staff. They help staff to access qualifications and training to develop their skills and knowledge.

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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 continue to build on the already good practice, helping staff to deliver high- quality teaching consistently across the nursery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486890 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10372444 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 73 Number of children on roll 88 Name of registered person Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01842 752757 Date of previous inspection 18 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford registered in 2015 and is part of a national chain of settings. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are offered from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with leaders about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 and the deputy manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

18 February 2025 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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