Opening hours
Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30 am until 6 pm.
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Lancaster
Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2025)
Number of places
125 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2025
Local authority
Lancashire
About this day nursery
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Lancaster, registered with Ofsted in 2001, provides a welcoming and nurturing environment for children aged 0-4 years. 30 am to 6 pm, the day nursery ensures children make good progress in all aspects of their learning.
As rated Good by Ofsted on 05/06/2025, the dedicated staff support children in forming close attachments and settling quickly. Children are encouraged to make choices in their play and learning, fostering engagement and curiosity.
The nursery offers a well-sequenced curriculum that builds strong social skills and prepares children for school, including inviting Reception teachers to visit. All children benefit from age-appropriate storytelling and a "book of the moment" in each room, which supports their literacy development.
Staff adeptly support communication and language development by introducing new vocabulary. The nursery effectively identifies and supports children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with staff confidently pinpointing next steps to help them progress.
Furthermore, children receive freshly cooked, homemade meals daily, with staff working closely with parents to manage allergies, including using different coloured plates for children with specific dietary needs. Parents commend the friendly staff and the learning programme, appreciating the opportunities to be involved through events like stay-and-play sessions and sports days.
What it's like
The nursery provides a welcoming environment and children make good progress in all aspects of their learning. Children arrive happy and are well supported by friendly staff, forming close attachments and settling quickly. Children of all ages are extremely friendly and sociable, readily welcoming new visitors and showing genuine interest.
Welcoming environmentGood progress in learningStrong social skillsSchool preparednessLiteracy developmentSEND support
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Registered with Ofsted
2001
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Lancaster
Last inspected 5 June 2025
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
The nursery provides a welcoming environment and children make good progress in all aspects of their learning. Children arrive happy and are well supported by friendly staff, forming close attachments and settling quickly. Children of all ages are extremely friendly and sociable, readily welcoming new visitors and showing genuine interest.
Inspector highlights
- All children benefit from age-appropriate storytelling sessions and a 'book of the moment' in each room, supporting literacy development.
- Children's developing communication and language are well supported, with staff introducing new vocabulary.
- Leaders plan a well-sequenced curriculum that builds strong social skills and prepares children for school, including inviting Reception teachers to visit.
- Staff know children well and confidently identify next steps to help them progress, particularly for those with developmental gaps.
- Children are provided with freshly cooked, home-made meals each day, and staff work closely with parents to manage allergies.
Areas to develop
- 1ensure the correct language and pronunciation are modelled accurately, to fully support children's developing language skills
- 2review the deployment of staff to provide purposeful interactions for children to build on their existing skills and knowledge.
Inspection #10392142 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
"Parents compliment the friendly nature of staff, and the programme of learning provided."
"Parents comment that they feel valued and enjoy being part of the nursery through a range of experiences, such as stay-and-play sessions and sports day events."
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff know children well and confidently identify next steps to help them progress, in particular for those who may have some gaps in their development.
Google Reviews of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Lancaster
4.8
(20 Google reviews)
Annie-beth Martin
a year ago
Brilliant nursery! Really informative on what goes on with my child! Great meals and great outdoor space! Staff are very friendly, and considerate of what you do with your child at home; they are able to adapt this into the nursery setting!
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Laura Carter
3 years ago
Amazing nursery and I am so thankful my daughter got the chance to go.the staff are always there for the children and the parents. they are absolutely amazing people and do a very good job my child came on so much when she started and can't thank the staff enough for everything they have done I'm quite upset that it was my daughter last day today going to miss everyone. Thank you busy bees
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Siobhan Fagan
4 years ago
Maybe I was just unfortunate however I'd gone to view the nursery- at a scheduled time- and was disappointed to see that in the 3 yr old room there was only 1 adult (definitely not meeting the ratio) who was paying no attention to the children but fiddling with a tablet... there was apparently supposed to be a second adult in the room but that still would have been 1 adult for approx 10 children... I was shocked because if this is what they show parents when they know they are coming to view the nursery what is it like when the parent is not there?! Suffice to say I never sent my child there.
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Lauren Candice
2 years ago
My son love Nursery, all the staff are so lovely and get to really know each child. He has come on leaps and bounds since starting
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Gemma Dooney
4 years ago
Amazing nursery which my daughter loves. She has come on so much since starting there she is so happy and as a parent this is the most important thing.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Lancaster. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: December 2009
- June 2025Good
- August 2019Outstanding
- April 2013Outstanding
- December 2009Good
Frequently asked about Busy Bees Day Nursery at Lancaster
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