Busy Bees Little Sutton

Stories, conversation and growing plants give Busy Bees Little Sutton a recognisable character. In August 2023, babies responded to familiar books and songs, while older children investigated insects in the trees and tended vegetables and herbs in the garden. These were experiences children could take part in themselves, with language and discovery woven into play.

At its 2 August 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective, while asking staff to develop activities further around each child's next learning steps. That qualification matters alongside the positive judgement: planning for an individual child and extending their learning during an activity are different tasks.

The nursery accepts children aged 0 to 60 months and has 120 places in total. Its address is Windways, Little Sutton, CH66 1JE. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. For parents, that means education and everyday care belong together: conversations, play and routines all contribute to the child's nursery day.

In August 2023, activities were planned around children's interests and the skills they were developing next. Babies joined in with songs and stories through sounds of their own; toddlers enjoyed games with a parachute. The experiences differed with children's development rather than following one activity for everyone.

Conversation had a deliberate place in the day. In August 2023, staff introduced useful vocabulary during activities, helped children pronounce words and addressed misunderstandings gently. Words were connected to what children were doing, giving them something concrete to talk about. The improvement point concerned taking these opportunities further to match individual learning needs more precisely.

Outdoor and Community Life

In August 2023, garden activities included investigating insects and growing plants. Older children looked for spiders and ants among the trees and examined where they lived. Planting herbs and vegetables also gave children an active role: they watered seeds and cared for the growing plants.

These examples make the outdoor experience tangible. Children were investigating living things and looking after them, rather than simply spending time outside. The garden was a setting for questions, observation and practical tasks.

Relationships and Communication

In August 2023, children had a key worker alongside a buddy arrangement that helped another member of staff become familiar with their needs. This gave care a second relationship to draw on, rather than making familiarity depend entirely on one adult.

Parents received advice about behaviour, health and child development in August 2023, together with ideas for continuing learning at home. Communication therefore extended beyond a description of activities: families could connect nursery experiences with what happened at home.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the August 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that collaboration with other professionals, including speech and language therapy and the additional needs team, supported children's needs and progress. Referrals brought specialist advice into planning for children who needed it.

In August 2023, photographs and visual timetables helped children anticipate the next part of the day. Children also contributed to room rules, giving them a part in understanding expectations. Quiet areas and sensory resources offered ways to manage emotions when they needed a pause.

Dietary needs were recorded and shared with staff in August 2023, with a discussion with the chef before meals to address cross-contamination risks. This was an organised handover between those caring for children and those preparing their food.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours run from 7am until 6pm on weekdays. The nursery operates throughout the year, with bank holidays and Christmas Day listed as closures. For families organising regular childcare, the distinction between the daily opening window and the child's agreed attendance matters.

Enquiries can be made through the Little Sutton contact form or the enrolments team on 0330 333 8133. The nursery's own telephone number is 0151 294 4189.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare options include 30 Hours working families funding, 15 Hours universal funding for children aged 3 and 4, and 15 hours for 2-year-olds receiving support. Eligibility applies to the relevant scheme; these options do not mean every family qualifies for the same entitlement. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Extending individual learning. The August 2023 improvement point concerned how staff took activities further for each child. During a visit, ask for an example of how an activity changes when a child masters the original task.
• Attendance and the total bill. Weekday opening hours span 7am to 6pm, and several funding categories are offered. Ask which booking patterns fit your required days and how the written quotation accounts for meals, consumables and additional hours.
• Dietary handovers. In August 2023, staff discussed children's dietary requirements with the chef before meals. Families managing allergies should confirm current practice, including how information reaches everyone involved in serving food.

Busy Bees Little Sutton suits families seeking year-round weekday childcare. In August 2023, conversation, practical garden experiences and key worker and buddy relationships shaped children's days. Its August 2023 assessment provides a positive inspection position with a specific teaching improvement to weigh alongside it.

The strongest examples are ordinary experiences used purposefully: talking about an activity, caring for plants and helping children understand the day's routines. The decision should turn on how those practices work for your child now and how the agreed attendance fits family life.