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The Bees Knees Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2024)
·
5.0(9 parent reviews) ·Cambrian Way, Highfield, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5TD · Hertfordshire
Number of places
60 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2024
Local authority
Hertfordshire

About this day nursery

The Bees Knees Day Nursery, established in 1986, is a welcoming childcare setting for children aged six weeks to five years old, up until they begin primary school. The nursery is structured into three distinct age groups: Honey Bees (6 weeks to 2 years), Bumble Bees (2 to 3 years), and Pre-School (3 to 5 years).

This allows for age-appropriate activities and tailored provisions to support each child's unique developmental needs. The dedicated staff at The Bees Knees focus on fostering well-rounded and confident young individuals, ensuring they are happy and prepared for the next stage of their education.

Through a blend of play and educational activities, children learn essential lessons while enjoying their time at the nursery. The nursery aims to provide a joyful and stimulating environment where each child's development is nurtured.

For more information or to inquire about available spaces, prospective parents are encouraged to contact the nursery directly.

What it's like

Children are excited to arrive at the nursery and engage in many stimulating activities. A highly effective key-person system ensures children feel settled and secure, forming exceptionally close bonds with nurturing staff. Staff across all rooms use structured group sessions to support children's development.

Established since 1986Age-specific rooms

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured by room, with separate rates for Busy Bees Pre-School and Bumble/Honey Bees. Both rooms offer full days, morning sessions, two variations of afternoon sessions, and a full-time weekly rate. Fees are payable in advance on a weekly or monthly basis.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • A deposit of two weeks' fees is required.
  • Fees are payable weekly or monthly at the start of the billing period.
  • Fees are still payable if your child is absent.
  • Fees are not payable if the nursery is closed.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Closed during Christmas and New Year periods and on Bank Holidays.

Food

Breakfast at 9:30am, hot lunch at 12:00pm, snack at 2:00pm, hot tea at 4:00pm. Menus are displayed in the foyer.

Age range

6 weeks to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

1996

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Bees Knees Day Nursery

Last inspected 11 April 2024 · Antonia Campbell

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 are excited to arrive at the nursery and engage in many stimulating activities. A highly effective key-person system ensures children feel settled and secure, forming exceptionally close bonds with nurturing staff. Staff across all rooms use structured group sessions to support children's development.

Inspector highlights

  • Transitions through the nursery are well supported.
  • Language development is well promoted across all rooms.
  • Children of all ages are encouraged to be independent in age-appropriate ways.
  • Morale is high in this well-established staff team.
  • Relationships between staff and parents are strong.
  • Children are confident learners, who have a positive attitude to their learning.

Areas to develop

  • 1enhance the current methods of coaching and mentoring to ensure that leaders in the toddler room evaluate staff practice effectively, to support them to raise the quality of teaching to a consistently high standard.
Inspection #10335066 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Those with older children who previously attended the nursery, commented on how well prepared children were for school.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported across all rooms. The dedicated special educational needs coordinator works closely with individual children and their key staff, using additional funding appropriately to provide targeted learning opportunities and high-quality one-to-one care. This supports all children who attend the nursery to make good progress from their starting points.

Outdoor space

Young babies find their shoes before going outdoors, while staff encourage their older friends to put them on their feet.

Parent Reviews of The Bees Knees Day Nursery

5.0
(9)
Tim Lynch
9 months ago

This is a review of Bees Knees as it was a decade ago 2012-2014, but it still looks great when I drive past. I've just refiling a pile of old paperwork and the progress scrapbooks from my daughter's time at Bees Knees were/are lovely. Three big scrapbooks of photos, work and remarks that probably mean more to me now than they did at the time and show good quality of care and early education. Bees Knees has a nice standalone building with a lovely small play garden behind and small but busy car park. I remember safeguarding always looking excellent with an enclosed pick/up drop off room and paperwork to view/sign upon any bruise or abrasion. Fees were reasonable.

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Dimitra Zarenti
8 months ago

Our daughter started here at 16 months old and is now off to reception. In that time, she has been so well cared for, supported, and encouraged every step of the way. She has loved coming in each day, and we’re so grateful to all the staff for creating such a warm and nurturing environment. Thank you!!!

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J Rup
10 months ago

I don’t usually write reviews before actually experiencing something properly. But all the staff deserve a 5* after how informative and welcoming they were on the visit to see if my daughter would fit in here. My daughter didn’t want to leave. I didn’t really want to leave either. Its such a clean place and they even have a sleep room! I hope the nursery staff at honey bees see my message. P.s apologies if i came off weird in the shoe comment - wasn’t intended to be anything more than a throwaway comment about home and shoes (i’m quite direct in my speech sometimes). And also amazing how you track everything and how so on it you all are with the schedules of each baby! This has been by far the best visit of all the nurseries!

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Richard Burley
3 years ago

Fantastic nursery. Couldn't be happier with the care and nurturing they've been providing for my son. Their team is top notch and I don't hesitate to recommend them to anyone interested in real quality childcare. My son has been fully cared for, entertained and educated and I am so very grateful for everything you all do for us. So many activities and opportunities for growth and development and their communications to us as parents are frequent, useful, thorough and clear. Just brilliant.

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Catherine Mitchell
7 years ago

Such an amazing and lovely nursery! They go above and beyond..Can not recommend highly enough x

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Reviews from Google for The Bees Knees Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: July 2007

  • May 2024Good
  • April 2024Good
  • June 2018Good
  • June 2018Good
  • October 2015Good
  • September 2015Good
  • March 2015Requires improvement
  • February 2015Outstanding
  • June 2009Outstanding
  • July 2007Good

Frequently asked about The Bees Knees Day Nursery

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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