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Busy Bees Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2022)
·
5.0(5 parent reviews) ·Manor Fields Primary School, Wilton Road, SALISBURY, SP2 7EJ · Wiltshire
Number of places
44 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2022
Local authority
Wiltshire

About this day nursery

Busy Bees Preschool is a charitable organisation in Salisbury, dedicated to offering accessible and quality childcare for children aged 2-5. The preschool, run by a parent committee, aims to create a stimulating, safe, and secure setting where children can thrive, develop confidence, and embrace learning by doing.

They prioritise enriching and empowering all children, regardless of background, through diverse opportunities that foster vocabulary and broaden experiences. Situated next to Manor Fields Primary School since 2009, Busy Bees maintains strong ties with the school, utilising its facilities to aid children's transition to primary education.

The facility is fully accessible with ramps for disabled access. They emphasise a 'stages not ages' approach to learning, ensuring activities are tailored to developmental readiness rather than chronological age.

The preschool actively involves parents in their child's educational journey from the outset, using the Tapestry online platform to share and encourage participation in learning moments. Furthermore, children requiring additional support or those not meeting typical developmental milestones receive dedicated assistance from an experienced SENCO and staff.

Our ethos

Busy Bees Preschool is committed to offering accessible, quality childcare. They focus on providing a stimulating, safe, and secure environment that empowers children through diverse opportunities and a 'stages not ages' approach to learning. The preschool actively involves parents and provides dedicated support for children needing additional assistance.

What it's like

Children settle quickly and are encouraged to explore the well-planned environment. Staff provide sensitive support to help new children feel confident, and they work collaboratively to manage challenges. The new practice of parents dropping off and picking up children at the door has created a calmer environment.

Charity-runParent CommitteeStrong school linksFocus on cultural capitalIndividualised support for SEN

Pricing & funding

Fees are set by the committee trustees and billed termly in advance. The setting offers hourly and three-hour session rates, with different age-banded fees for two-year-olds and three-to-four-year-olds.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • Hourly rate for 3-4 year olds (from Jan 2020)£4.30 / hour
  • Hourly rate for 2 year olds (from Jan 2020)£5.25 / hour
  • 3-hour session for 3-4 year olds (Sept 2017)£12.60 / session
  • 3-hour session for 2 year olds (Sept 2017)£15.00 / session

Good to know

  • Fees are payable at the beginning of each term.
  • Four weeks' notice is required to withdraw a child, or full fees are payable in lieu of notice.
  • No refunds are given for short-term absences.
  • Reduced fees may be arranged in the event of long-term sickness to secure the child's place.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 4pm, and on Friday from 8.30am to midday.

Food

Snacks and drinks included, no charge for additional activities or experiences.

Age range

2-5 years

Session types

8:30 service, 4 o'clock club

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Preschool

Last inspected 27 January 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 settle quickly and are encouraged to explore the well-planned environment. Staff provide sensitive support to help new children feel confident, and they work collaboratively to manage challenges. The new practice of parents dropping off and picking up children at the door has created a calmer environment.

Inspector highlights

  • The effective key-person system enables children to feel secure and encouraged to explore.
  • Staff provide successful support for children's communication and language skills.
  • Children learning English as an additional language and those with delay in speaking receive strong support.
  • Staff consistently encourage children's independence.
  • The manager and deputy provide staff with strong role models and support.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff further in helping children to resolve conflicts and understand how their behaviour impacts on others
  • 2strengthen the engagement with other settings children attend to more accurately identify and plan for children's development as soon as they start.
Inspection #10126114 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents refer to staff as 'nurturing' and say their children have better social and speaking skills since attending the pre-school.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Parents confirm how well staff work in partnership with them, especially when children have special educational needs. Children learning English as an additional language and those with delay in speaking receive strong support. The manager implements her training well, providing additional one-to-one and small-group activities to promote language skills effectively.

Outdoor space

Children have daily opportunities to be active and choose whether to play indoors or outdoors. They balance, climb and run, demonstrating good control and coordination. Children use books indoors and outdoors, and listen and engage with enthusiasm at story time.

Parent Reviews of Busy Bees Preschool

5.0
(5)
Natalie Romano
6 years ago

A wonderful pre-school setting who gave my daughter an amazing start to her early years education. Kind and caring staff who genuinely care about each child. My daughter loved her time at busy bee's and I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone within the local area.

Read on Google
Heather Clowe
6 years ago

This is an excellent preschool. Both of my children loved there time here.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Busy Bees Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: January 2010

  • January 2022Good
  • November 2015Outstanding
  • January 2010Outstanding

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