Busy Bees Day Nursery at Thetford

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The nursery offers a tailored approach to helping children to settle in. This means that staff have time to build relationships with their key children. Staff support children sensitively when they move into the next room in the nursery. Children settle quickly. Staff are warm, kind and responsive. They get to know children and their routines very quickly. Children readily approach staff for cuddles and reassurance. Staff teach children to be independent. At mealtimes, children pour their own drinks and serve their own food. Children wash their own hands. Staff encourage children to express themselves. They have created a pre-school council. This empowers children to offer their views and have their voices heard.

Staff support children to manage their behaviour. They praise and encourage children. Staff help them understand that they need to listen to each other. Children are polite and well behaved. Staff assess children's development closely. They quickly identify when children require further support. Staff use a bespoke curriculum to support children to make progress. They ensure all children are involved in the learning opportunities they provide. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds make good progress with their learning and development. All children are prepared for the next stage in their education.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• There is a strong focus on supporting children to be healthy. Children enjoy a range of freshly prepared healthy snacks and meals. Babies demonstrate good skills at using spoons to feed themselves. Younger children brush large sets of teeth. They read stories about going to the dentist. Children in the pre-school learn what foods are healthy and the impact these have on their bodies.
• Staff keep children safe and secure and teach children how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they explain why they need to tuck their chairs in. Staff teach children how to use scissors safely and why it is important that they have their shoes on. Outside, children explore the sensory garden. They work with staff to build obstacle courses and use bats and balls. These provide challenge for their physical skills.
• Staff plan stimulating and engaging activities for all children. Toddlers explore sensory materials. They enjoy using fishing nets to catch balls. This helps them develop their coordination. Older children enjoy having play dough tea parties. They roll, squeeze and pat dough to create cakes. They wash up the crockery they have used and dry them with cloths. This helps them develop their physical skills.
• Children develop a love of reading. Staff read to individual and groups of children throughout the day. Books are available at every activity that staff provide. This helps children learn about the topics they are exploring. Staff sing frequently. They speak clearly and explain what words mean. Staff use sign language and gestures. Children make good progress with their communication development.
• Staff teach children about different concepts in an interesting way. Children draw around their feet. They carefully colour their feet and then cut these out. Staff help children to compare the sizes of their feet to different items. They teach children about the words 'longer' and 'shorter'. Sometimes, teaching is inconsistent. This means that children do not always have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and develop their skills further.
• Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They appreciate the high standard of care and the quality of education their children receive. They praise the professionalism of staff. Parents appreciate the regular communication they receive about their children's development. They comment that the information they receive helps them support for their children's learning at home.
• Staff work closely with parents and other professionals in order to meet the needs of children. Leaders have a clear view of the strengths of the nursery. They have navigated recent difficult events sensitively. Staff feel very well supported by leaders. Leaders carry out regular supervision meetings with staff. They help staff to access qualifications and training to develop their skills and knowledge.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• continue to build on the already good practice, helping staff to deliver high-quality teaching consistently across the nursery.