Bizzy Bees Pre-School

A vote for the session’s final story gave children a say in their day at Bizzy Bees Pre-School in June 2021. That small choice captures the character of the provision then: books, imaginative play and opportunities to do things independently.

At its June 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good overall and found safeguarding effective. Based at Broomfield Primary School in East Goscote, it has 26 places in total; children attending in June 2021 were aged two to four.

In June 2021, the early years foundation stage took practical form through counting, early writing and imaginative play: children counted while stacking tyres, practised writing letters from their names and acted out preparing food for dolls. The outdoor classroom held books and resources for making marks, giving literacy a place in outdoor activity too.

Visits to the post office and butchers brought the community into learning that June. Back at pre-school, children used a community map and photographs to discuss their experiences. These gave them concrete starting points for conversation.

The June 2021 inspection also identified two teaching priorities: staff needed to increase challenge and plan more precisely from children’s existing learning. Some children lost interest when an animal-identification activity was too easy, making appropriate challenge an important consideration alongside the practical experiences.

In June 2021, children helped one another with wellington boots and took part in cleaning up. Spreading butter on crackers and washing with flannels gave them opportunities to practise personal care. Encouragement from practitioners accompanied these efforts.

Relationships with families were a strength at that time: parents valued their contact with staff and the support they received during the pandemic. Staff training also had time allocated within the working day, allowing practitioners to reflect on their practice.

The address is Broomfield Primary School, Ploughmans Lea, East Goscote, Leicester, LE7 3ZQ. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a place at Broomfield Primary School.

In June 2021, attendance was term-time only, Monday to Friday. The choices were an all-day session from 8am to 3pm, a morning from 9am to midday, or an afternoon from midday to 3pm. This offered both shorter sessions and a longer day within the term-time timetable.

At that date, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Teaching challenge. The June 2021 improvement priorities concerned stretching children’s learning and identifying their next steps accurately. Ask how practitioners now adapt an activity when a child has already mastered it.
• Attendance pattern. The June 2021 timetable combined morning, afternoon and all-day sessions during term time. Would the current booking pattern fit your family’s working week and holiday arrangements?
• School location. Sharing an address with Broomfield Primary School does not guarantee a Reception place there. Keep the school-place decision separate from choosing the pre-school.

Bizzy Bees’ June 2021 picture suits families interested in practical independence, early literacy and learning connected to everyday community life. Its timetable then served both morning or afternoon attendance and all-day sessions. The Good judgement provides a dated quality reference; the teaching priorities make challenge and precise planning the most useful subjects to explore.