Opening hours
7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for public holidays
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Mardley Hill
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Feb 2022)
Number of places
46 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2022
Local authority
Hertfordshire
About this day nursery
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Mardley Hill, located in Welwyn, has been providing childcare on non-domestic premises since 1996. 30pm, Monday to Friday, catering to children aged 1 to 4 years.
The latest Ofsted inspection, on 22nd February 2022, rated the nursery as Outstanding in all areas. Children arrive eager and motivated, engaging with "table of interest" items and exploring both indoor and outdoor environments.
The nursery places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with children enjoying the woodland area of the garden, discovering bugs, and participating in parachute games. The dedicated staff, led by an inspirational centre director, consistently extend children's learning, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
The entire staff team has high expectations for all children, ensuring no child is left behind. Staff have received training to identify and support speech delays, and the special educational needs coordinator actively supports children with SEND.
Parents consistently praise the nursery for its regular and precise communication, feeling well-informed about their children's daily activities and how to support their learning at home. The curriculum focuses on developing independence, confidence, exceptional language skills, and an understanding of safety and healthy habits.
Children are encouraged to make decisions and express their views, fostering kindness and problem-solving skills.
What it's like
Children arrive eager and motivated for the day, exploring 'table of interest' items with nurturing staff. They demonstrate excellent independence skills and confidence, playing in the woodland area of the garden and engaging in parachute games. Children are focused and engaged in activities, receiving consistent support from staff that promotes thought-provoking conversations and ignites their curiosity.
Outstanding Ofsted ratingWoodland outdoor playExcellent SEND supportStrong parent communicationNurturing staffHighly motivated children
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Mardley Hill
Last inspected 22 February 2022 · Lisa Topham
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children arrive eager and motivated for the day, exploring 'table of interest' items with nurturing staff. They demonstrate excellent independence skills and confidence, playing in the woodland area of the garden and engaging in parachute games. Children are focused and engaged in activities, receiving consistent support from staff that promotes thought-provoking conversations and ignites their curiosity.
Inspector highlights
- The inspirational centre director and staff are highly skilled and dedicated to providing high-quality teaching and learning experiences for all children.
- Children consistently show happiness and engagement through their play and experiences. They are enthusiastic learners who are keen to join in with everything.
- All staff use what they know children can do already to support how they plan for what they need to learn next.
- Children have an exceptional understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy.
- Parents cannot praise the nursery highly enough.
Inspection #10127260 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents cannot praise the nursery highly enough.
They state that they receive regular and precise communication from staff.
parents say that they know what their children are doing every day and know how they can specifically enhance their child's learning at home.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The entire staff team has the highest expectations for all children. They ensure that no child is left behind. This is particularly significant for children with additional needs and/or disabilities. Staff have used recent training to help them identify any children with speech delay and plan effectively to support them. Staff expertly and consistently extend children's learning, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Outdoor space
Children play in the woodland area of the garden, discover bugs and enjoy a parachute game with staff. The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.
Parent Reviews of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Mardley Hill
5.0
(4)
Naomi
7 months ago
We’re so happy with Mila being at this nursery - she absolutely loves it! The staff are fantastic and really caring. They always follow any requirements we have and carry out brilliant educational activities with the children. It’s also great being able to see updates, photos, and details of their meals etc through the app. As soon as we viewed this nursery we knew it was the one for us! Over a year in and we couldn’t be happier with the experience so far.
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Annabel Osborne-Kirby
8 months ago
Amazing nursery, might be most costly than most but 100% worth it. My son loves going in and the team especially Julie has made us so welcome
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Ruth Davis
3 years ago
Busy Bees at Mardley Hill is exemplary. The staff are engaging and kind. They treat each child as an individual and my daughter is so happy and well looked after there. Thankyou.
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Emma Jones
8 years ago
Amazing staff, they make you feel like your children are the most important to them. Our two are very happy there and our eldest is gone to be sad to leave. Other parents we have chatted to feel the same. Well done all.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Mardley Hill. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: January 2009
- February 2022Outstanding
- October 2014Outstanding
- January 2009Outstanding
Frequently asked about Busy Bees Day Nursery at Mardley Hill
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