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Busy Bees Nursery School

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2022)
·
5.0(5 parent reviews) ·Beck House, St. Johns Street, Bury St. Edmunds, IP28 8AA · Suffolk
Number of places
111 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2022
Local authority
Suffolk

About this day nursery

Busy Bees Nursery School, established in 1982, offers a comprehensive early years education for children aged two until they transition to primary school. Situated in Mildenhall, Suffolk, the nursery is set within a twelve-acre miniature farm, providing a unique environment where children actively engage in organic gardening and rural studies, even utilising polytunnels during inclement weather.

The facility boasts five spacious and bright classrooms, an indoor heated swimming pool with a qualified instructor, and three extensive outdoor play areas equipped for imaginative and physical activities. The curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), focusing on seven key areas of learning and development.

Busy Bees achieved an "overall Good" rating in its latest OFSTED inspection and holds a 5-star food hygiene rating, ensuring a high standard of care and nourishment. The nursery also provides a "Kids Club" for older children up to 11 years of age.

Our ethos

Busy Bees Nursery School integrates learning with its unique farm setting, offering organic gardening and rural studies alongside the EYFS curriculum in its seven key areas of learning and development.

What it's like

Children show good attitudes to learning. They have access to activities that are well planned and linked to their individual needs. Older children show high levels of engagement and concentration, developing hand muscles and hand-to-eye coordination for early writing abilities.

Forest SchoolIndoor heated swimming poolMiniature farm and organic gardeningEstablished 19825-star food hygiene rating

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 6.45am until 6pm.

Age range

2 years to 11 years (Kids Club)

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Nursery School

Last inspected 13 October 2022

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children show good attitudes to learning. They have access to activities that are well planned and linked to their individual needs. Older children show high levels of engagement and concentration, developing hand muscles and hand-to-eye coordination for early writing abilities.

Inspector highlights

  • Managers have high ambitions for staff and children, and they monitor and adapt the provision well.
  • Children have many opportunities to learn about the natural environment and living things.
  • Staff read stories with enthusiasm and children enjoy looking at books independently.
  • Partnerships with parents are extremely positive.
  • Staff well-being is a strong focus for the management team.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to promote children's positive behaviour and to help children gain a better understanding of how their behaviour affects others
  • 2strengthen personal care and hygiene routines, to ensure that children's needs are consistently met.
Inspection #10234421 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that children who need extra support continue to make good progress. Additional funding is used well; staff provide targeted one-to-one support and resources that promote children's individual learning and development. The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspectors about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

Children benefit from plenty of opportunities throughout the day for fresh air and exercise in the extensive outdoor area. They can participate in forest school sessions daily and explore a range of exciting activities, which support their knowledge of the world. Children show great enjoyment when searching for different leaves in the woodland area to use in their creative activity.

Parent Reviews of Busy Bees Nursery School

5.0
(5)
Jason Depew
10 years ago

Really great nursery. Large, established operation with lots of nice people on staff. Good security procedures with CCTV monitoring. Most non-holidays are covered under government grant, otherwise, it gets expensive. They offer swimming, dance, language and other lessons to students, for extra fees. They have a pretty large acreage with a small working farm. The children get to go to "forest school" to interact with the farm animals, learn about plants, and play outside. They have the ability to bus students to some nearby schools (West Row, Beck Row, St. Mary's,) but coordinate that before you enroll because seats on the bus are limited.

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Bridgett K
3 years ago

Busy Bees is a great nursery! The teachers work hard to take care of the children and give parents comfort that they are in good hands.

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Cathy Godley
a year ago

If only they had a primary school there ☹️my daughter really loved going there she really loved going to see her teachers and friends never a day I complained of anything will definitely recommend anyone to take there kids there they will be in safe hands 1 give it 100%

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Jeremy Smith
4 years ago

Excellent nursery. Very friendly and helpful. Also great with the kids.

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Inspection history

Date: November 2006

  • October 2022Good
  • October 2016Good
  • May 2013Good
  • September 2009Good
  • November 2008Good
  • November 2006Outstanding

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