Opening hours
Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are offered from 7.30am to 6pm.
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford
Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2025)
Number of places
73 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2025
Local authority
Norfolk
About this day nursery
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford provides a Good standard of childcare for children aged 0-4 years, as rated by Ofsted on 18th February 2025. 30 am to 6 pm.
The setting offers a tailored approach to settling-in, allowing staff to build strong relationships with key children and support them through transitions between rooms. Children quickly settle and confidently seek comfort from the warm, kind, and responsive staff.
The nursery fosters independence, with children pouring their own drinks, serving their own food, and washing their hands during mealtimes. A pre-school council empowers older children to express their views.
Staff meticulously assess children's development, allowing for early identification of additional support needs. They utilise a bespoke curriculum to ensure that all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), make good progress.
Outdoor learning is a key feature, with children exploring a sensory garden and engaging in activities such as building obstacle courses and playing with bats and balls to develop physical skills. For children learning English as an additional language (EAL), staff employ sign language and gestures, which effectively supports their communication development.
Parents speak highly of the nursery, commending the high standard of care, quality of education, and the professionalism of the staff. They particularly value the regular communication about their children's development, which helps them extend learning at home.
What it's like
The nursery offers a tailored approach to helping children to settle in, allowing staff to build relationships with their key children and support them sensitively when moving rooms. Children settle quickly and readily approach warm, kind, and responsive staff for comfort. Staff also empower children through a pre-school council and teach them independence in daily routines like mealtimes and handwashing.
Strong focus on healthSafe and secure environmentStimulating activitiesLove of readingHighly praised by parentsEffective SEND and EAL support
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford
Last inspected 18 February 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 offers a tailored approach to helping children to settle in, allowing staff to build relationships with their key children and support them sensitively when moving rooms. Children settle quickly and readily approach warm, kind, and responsive staff for comfort. Staff also empower children through a pre-school council and teach them independence in daily routines like mealtimes and handwashing.
Inspector highlights
- There is a strong focus on supporting children to be healthy.
- Staff keep children safe and secure and teach children how they can keep themselves safe.
- Staff plan stimulating and engaging activities for all children.
- Children develop a love of reading.
- Parents speak very highly of the nursery.
Areas to develop
- 1continue to build on the already good practice, helping staff to deliver high- quality teaching consistently across the nursery.
Inspection #10372444 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
"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 they receive helps them support for their children's learning at home."
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
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.
Outdoor space
Outside, children explore the sensory garden. They work with staff to build obstacle courses and use bats and balls, which provide challenge for their physical skills.
EAL / language support
Staff use sign language and gestures. Children make good progress with their communication development.
Parent Reviews of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford
4.6
(13)
Thereza Irvine
4 years ago
My son has been going to Nursery full time since he was 11 months old. He is now 24 months and has had a room change in the time he’s been there. He barely felt the transition, they did it so well and gracefully that he barely noticed. He runs in every single day with a smile on his face. The food is incredible and diverse with the menu changing with the seasons. My son always eats everything and is willing to try new things and I commend Busy Bees for this. All of the people who work there are incredible, I know he feels safe there and I feel at ease every time I drop him off even when has his little wobbles not wanting to leave mummy. He recently potty trained and I explained to his key worker the method I was using and they respected my wishes. By the third day he had no accidents! I couldn’t be happier with this nursery and recommend it to literally every one I see. Thank you to Amanda and Hannah for running such an incredible place.
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jenna Williams
4 years ago
My son has been here since he was 10 months old and they have been amazing every step of the way, he’s now 4 and will be leaving soon for school. Their communication is fantastic the setting is lovely, what they do with the children is amazing and the team are one of the best that I’ve come across. It instantly felt relaxing and welcoming especially for a parent and my son always comes out happy. The food is amazing there and he eats things I never in a millions years would have thought he’d eat so thanks to them his food variety is amazing to. Anyone thinking of sending their child there, do it, you won’t be disappointed.
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Anna Knight
3 years ago
Our daughter has just finished pre school at Busy Bees in Thetford after 2 years there. We are beyond grateful to the whole team, especially the management, who went over and above to meet her individual needs and help her thrive. It's really been the best preparation we could have asked for before reception. It has exceeded our expectations, particularly as she was so anxious when she began. Thank you!
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Rachael Rose
9 years ago
I have a 8 month old and a 3 year old attending Thetford busy bee's nursery. The staff are friendly and spend a lot of time with the children helping them develop in all areas. The food is made on site and provides them with a good nutritional balance.
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Marta Kowalska
2 years ago
Wonderful, supportive teachers and a great little community ^_^
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: April 2016
- February 2025Good
- April 2019Good
- April 2016Good
Frequently asked about Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more