Term time / All Year
All Year
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Welwyn Garden City
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Nov 2022)
Number of places
85 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2022
Local authority
Hertfordshire
About this day nursery
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Welwyn Garden City, established in 2004, provides a nurturing environment for children aged 0-4 years. Open all year, Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, the nursery has been consistently rated Outstanding by Ofsted, with the latest inspection on 22/11/2022 reaffirming this high standard.
Children thrive here, quickly developing confidence due to the kind and caring staff. They happily engage in a wide range of activities and play spaces, remaining focused and re-enacting real-life experiences.
For instance, staff thoughtfully connect these experiences to children's understanding of the world, such as discussing vegetables for soup while children pick them from a pretend grow bed. Staff recognise the importance of supporting children's emotional development, teaching them to recognise and label feelings.
This is particularly beneficial for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who benefit from break-away spaces to rest and relax. Outdoor learning is a significant part of the experience, with children enjoying tremendous fun playing outside, developing coordination and strength.
Staff support children to become "outdoor detectives," teaching them to inspect for hazards and learn about safety before freely exploring the gardens. The nursery’s curriculum is superbly sequenced and child-focused, ensuring all children make excellent progress, from babies developing their walking skills to older children creating obstacle courses.
The well-established staff team is supported with excellent training opportunities and parents are extremely happy with the nursery, appreciating home learning packs and effective communication about their children's development.
What it's like
Children thrive in this nurturing nursery, quickly developing confidence due to kind and caring staff. They happily engage in a wide range of activities and play spaces, remaining focused and re-enacting real-life experiences in their play. Staff thoughtfully connect these experiences to children's understanding of the world, such as discussing vegetables for soup while children pick them from a pretend grow bed.
Confident learnersFlexible settling-inOutdoor detectivesWell-organised transitionsStrong emotional attachmentsHealthy lifestyles
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Established
2004
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Welwyn Garden City
Last inspected 22 November 2022 · Rachael Small
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 thrive in this nurturing nursery, quickly developing confidence due to kind and caring staff. They happily engage in a wide range of activities and play spaces, remaining focused and re-enacting real-life experiences in their play. Staff thoughtfully connect these experiences to children's understanding of the world, such as discussing vegetables for soup while children pick them from a pretend grow bed.
Inspector highlights
- Managers are passionate in their vision for the nursery, wanting all children to become 'confident learners who are ready for the next stage.'
- Staff are highly aware of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on parents and children, offering flexible settling-in sessions and supporting healthy lifestyles.
- Children have tremendous fun playing outside, developing coordination and strength.
- Transitions are extremely well organised, preparing children very well as they move on to school.
- Parents are extremely happy with the nursery, appreciating home learning packs and effective communication.
Inspection #10234934 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff value the importance of supporting children with their emotional development. They teach children to recognise and accurately label their feelings. This supports children, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to identify and manage their emotions.
Outdoor space
Children have tremendous fun playing outside, developing their coordination and strength in their arms as they play, for example, by digging in sand to fill buckets. Staff support children to become 'outdoor detectives' before they can freely explore the gardens, teaching them to inspect for hazards and learn about safety.
Parent Reviews of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Welwyn Garden City
4.7
(14)
Rachel Ellis
8 months ago
My son has been addending this nursery since February this year and we cannot fault a single thing. I know you might be thinking “really?!” But yes to me, they are a top nursery and their ofsted report shows that. They take pride in the nursery and how they care and teach the children. They have brought up any developmental concerns with my son which we got checked out with the GP and they supported us throughout the process. They take care and consideration in all they do with the children. Lots of activities on different themes and learning in the process. My son LOVES the food. Their daily updates are good. If you're looking to send your child to a nursery - send them here. You wont be disappointed.
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Rebecca Jones
4 years ago
The whole staff here are wonderful and have not only given our daughter a fantastic start but have supported us as a family too. They are kind, flexible and approachable and I can’t rate them highly enough. Our daughter has loved it from day one and we have loved her being there too.
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Gary Stevens
10 years ago
This place is great, the ladies that work there are really friendly, and the place is newly refurbished, clean, and the menu for the kids is brilliant. I would recommend this place to any parent wanting their child to learn and play in a very comfortable environment. My wife and I checked out various nurseries before deciding on this one, and we are more than happy that we did.
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Nicole Tay
2 years ago
Excellent and loving experienced staff. My kid enjoys herself a lot in the nursery and her carers ! Would highly recommend this nursery.
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Emma Jones
3 years ago
Brilliant staff, brilliant facilities. Couldn't ask for better. Love the app, and my kids have a wonderful time here.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Busy Bees Day Nursery at Welwyn Garden City. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2022
Date: March 2009
- November 2022Outstanding
- March 2017Good
- September 2013Good
- March 2009Outstanding
Frequently asked about Busy Bees Day Nursery at Welwyn Garden City
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