Opening hours
Monday to Friday all year round, from 7am until 6.15pm.
Busy Bees Day Nursery at St Albans Hatfield Road
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Mar 2023)
Number of places
76 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2023
Local authority
Hertfordshire
About this day nursery
Busy Bees Day Nursery at St Albans Hatfield Road, an "Outstanding" rated setting by Ofsted as of its 22 March 2023 inspection, provides childcare on non-domestic premises for children aged 1 to 4 years. 15pm.
Children at Busy Bees are nurtured and encouraged by staff, fostering a strong sense of belonging from the moment they arrive. The inviting environment promotes exploration, enabling children to revisit prior learning to deepen their understanding.
The centre director is dedicated to ensuring every child reaches their full potential, offering a curriculum that sparks interest and curiosity. Staff demonstrate a keen understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted children's development, particularly in language and communication, and provide tailored support.
For children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the passionate SENCo ensures a precise understanding of individual needs, collaborating with parents and professionals to set targets and achieve excellent progress. Exceptional support is also provided for children who speak English as an additional language, with staff showing respect for all cultures.
Outdoor learning is an integral part of the curriculum, with inspectors observing its positive impact on children's learning. Parents consistently praise the staff and the exceptional progress their children make, feeling fully involved in the nursery community.
What it's like
Children flourish and thrive in this amazing nursery, receiving nurturing and encouraging support from staff. They settle happily and with ease, with older children self-registering and younger children finding their labelled belongings, fostering a strong sense of belonging from the start. The inviting environment promotes exploration, with children revisiting previous learning to embed knowledge.
Outstanding Ofsted ratingAges 1-4 yearsOpen all yearStrong parent partnershipVibrant learning environmentExcellent SEND 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
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Day Nursery at St Albans Hatfield Road
Last inspected 22 March 2023 · Denise Clayton
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 flourish and thrive in this amazing nursery, receiving nurturing and encouraging support from staff. They settle happily and with ease, with older children self-registering and younger children finding their labelled belongings, fostering a strong sense of belonging from the start. The inviting environment promotes exploration, with children revisiting previous learning to embed knowledge.
Inspector highlights
- The centre director is committed to ensuring every child reaches their full potential with a curriculum that ignites interest and curiosity.
- Staff demonstrate a great understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's development, particularly in language and communication, and provide suitable support.
- The SENCo is passionate about her role, ensuring precise understanding of children's needs and excellent progress for all children.
- Support for children who speak English as an additional language is exceptional, with staff showing respect for all cultures.
- Parent partnership is a major strength, with parents praising staff and feeling fully involved in the nursery.
Inspection #10280772 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents feel this is particularly beneficial to their children.
Parents praise staff and talk about the exceptional progress their children make.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has a clear passion for her role, ensuring that relevant paperwork shows a precise understanding of children's needs. Meetings take place with parents and other professionals to produce targets, and the SENCo ensures that all staff understand these plans and targets. This ensures that all children make excellent progress.
Outdoor space
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 St Albans Hatfield Road
4.6
(37)
Sara
11 months ago
I really love Busy Bees, all the teachers and the staff are dedicated to the children. They are so caring and kind! My daughter settled quickly and she loves going there. 100% recommended!
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Dina Wiwuga
2 years ago
I love Busy Bees (Hatfield Road). My first born attended it and now my second boy is there. They are a part of my extended family, I feel safe leaving my son there. I comfortable to bring up and discuss anything with them. I love the facilities and toys they have for the children, the range of activities and exposure to arts and crafts is top class. These are just a few things, overall they are a fantastic team, they work well together to give the children a wonderful, safe and healthy environment I’m thankful
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leanne chatten
a year ago
The best nursery around. My daughter has attended since she was 9 months old and she absolutely loves it. Staff are fantastic!!
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Ana maria Ancuta
a year ago
We will definitely recommend this nursery to everybody!! They provide the highest quality and all the staff they are so friendly and nice !! I can only say thank you so much for everything you’ve done for my daughter and me !! We are so grateful and thankful to be part of this beautiful community!! Thank you
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Charlotte Hart
8 years ago
My daughter has been attending this nursery for the past 11 months and the staff are incredible. I cannot fault them at all (and I am a harsh critic!) The preschool staff in particular go above and beyond to make every child feel like the most important person in the world and their genuine care and kindness is apparent in everything they do. My only regret is that I didn't enroll her earlier.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Busy Bees Day Nursery at St Albans Hatfield Road. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: September 2008
- March 2023Outstanding
- August 2017Outstanding
- August 2013Good
- September 2008Good
Frequently asked about Busy Bees Day Nursery at St Albans Hatfield Road
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