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'Outstanding' Ofsted rating for Busy Bees Welwyn Garden City nursery

Published: 28/02/2023

Curved shape
Busy Bees

Children and staff at Busy Bees Welwyn Garden City are celebrating after gaining an 'Outstanding' rating, following an Ofsted inspection on 22 November 2022.  

The Ofsted inspector commented that ‘children thrive in this nurturing nursery’ where ‘babies are happy and curious’, exploring their environment confidently and ‘all children make excellent progress’. 

Gaining an ‘Outstanding’ rating in all areas, the nursery received praise for supporting children to become ‘confident learners who are ready for the next stage’, with schools expressing ‘the positive impact the nursery has on children’s school readiness’. 

Ofsted praised the nursery’s partnership with families for its ‘flexible settling-in sessions to provide parents with reassurance when leaving their child for the first time’.  

Parents also ‘particularly appreciate the home learning packs their children can borrow, which helps to continue their children’s learning at home’ and ‘the effective communication methods used to ensure they are fully aware of their children’s development’. 

The well-established staff team at the nursery were recognised as ‘excellent role models’, demonstrating ‘kind, courteous behaviours and language’. As a result, ‘children’s behaviour is exceptional’. 

The nursery staff were also praised for being ‘dedicated in their role to support children to learn the foundations for a healthy lifestyle’ with children benefiting from ‘carefully planned, well-balanced menus of healthy, nutritious foods each day’. 

A focus on children's communication and language development sees staff celebrate the diverse languages children speak, and they ‘skilfully weave mathematical language into their conversations and activities’. 

Imaginative play allows children to ‘understand and make further connections from their experiences in the world in which they live’. 

Practical learning opportunities offered by the nursery include supporting children to become ‘outdoor detectives’, learning how to inspect for any hazards before they can freely explore the gardens. Staff also make use ‘Safety Buzz’ - the company's bee mascot – to tell stories about road and fire safety. 

Emma Watt, Centre Director at Busy Bees Welwyn Garden City, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that our nursery has received Outstanding by Ofsted, recognising the quality of care and education that we provide. My team and I are passionate that children enjoy their time at nursery and that parents feel happy and assured with the care provided. We make it our priority every day that every child receives the very best start in life.” 

To view the full report, visit: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50203392

To find out more about Busy Bees Welwyn Garden City please call 0330 333 8133 or visit www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/welwyn