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Busy Bees @ St Lawrence

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2022)
·
5.0(1 parent reviews)
·St Lawrence Church Hall, Church Street, Alton, GU34 2BW · Hampshire
Number of places
43 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2022
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Busy Bees Alton is an independent, welcoming preschool located in a residential area of Alton, Hampshire, within walking distance of local schools. Catering to children from 2 years old up to reception age, the nursery provides a flexible, high-quality care environment, making it an ideal choice for families in Alton and its surrounding villages.

The premises are all on one level, offering ample space for a diverse range of indoor and outdoor play activities, encouraging curiosity and exploration. With a clear focus on learning through play, Busy Bees aims to foster a love of learning in children during their early years, preparing them confidently for school.

The nursery prides itself on its dedicated and qualified team of early years practitioners, each committed to providing the best care and play opportunities. They regularly participate in training covering areas such as safeguarding, first aid, food safety, and specialised interests like Forest School and supporting children with special educational needs.

The nursery also values strong partnerships with parents, encouraging active participation and utilising an online platform to share updates on children's learning journeys. While parents are asked to provide healthy snacks and lunches, mealtimes are structured to promote social skills and healthy practices.

The outdoor garden, backing onto the Watercress Line, is a significant feature, used year-round for exploration and learning.

Our ethos

Busy Bees @ St Lawrence focuses on learning through play, aiming to foster a love of learning and prepare children for school. They are committed to providing high-quality care and play opportunities, with a dedicated team that engages in continuous training, including Forest School experiences. The nursery values strong partnerships with parents to support children's learning journeys.

What it's like

Children happily enter the setting, where they are welcomed in by friendly staff. Staff provide an interesting range of activities across the seven areas of learning, ensuring children gain the skills needed for their next stage in education. They benefit from weekly music and movement sessions and French lessons, and their experiences are enhanced through links in the local community.

Independent PreschoolLearning Through PlayStrong Parent PartnershipsQualified and Dedicated TeamOutdoor Learning Focus

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • Hourly rate£8.00 / hour

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday–Thursday: 8.00am to 4.00pm; Friday: 8.00am to 12.00pm (term-time only)

Food

Parents provide healthy snack, lunch, and water bottle daily.

Age range

2 years to reception age

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating

Last inspected 21 June 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 happily enter the setting, where they are welcomed in by friendly staff. Staff provide an interesting range of activities across the seven areas of learning, ensuring children gain the skills needed for their next stage in education. They benefit from weekly music and movement sessions and French lessons, and their experiences are enhanced through links in the local community.

Inspector highlights

  • Children benefit from weekly music and movement sessions and French lessons, and parents report children are using these words at home.
  • Staff organise outdoor space creatively, including an allotment where children learn about growing vegetables and participate in challenging outdoor activities to develop large-muscle skills.
  • The manager regularly evaluates the setting and, in response to children's feedback, staff have introduced a pet hamster, supporting children's understanding of fairness and democracy.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported through identification, referrals for speech and language therapy, and regular targeted activities.
  • Parents are happy with the setting, finding staff approachable and available for discussion, and they report that they 'trust staff to give advice and support.'

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to consistently provide high-quality interactions with children without being distracted by nursery routines
  • 2strengthen the key-person system to ensure that there is continuity of care when children are settling in.
Inspection #10233474 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents feedback that children are using these words at home.

Parents report that they 'trust staff to give advice and support.'

Parent say it was a 'lovely opportunity' to see what the children get up to and spent time with other dads and grandparents.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. For example, staff identify and then refer children who would benefit from speech and language therapy. In the setting, children have regular targeted activities to ensure they make the best possible progress.

Outdoor space

Staff organise outdoor space creatively, including an allotment where children enjoy learning about growing vegetables and take part in 'Alton in Bloom'. Challenging outdoor activities help develop children's large-muscle skills, such as skilfully navigating a ride-on car up and down a hill.

Parent Reviews

5.0
(1)

Reviews from Google for Busy Bees @ St Lawrence. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

21 June 2022

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Busy Bees @ St Lawrence

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