Busy Bees, Anstey Park

Pumpkins became shop stock, modelling dough became a dragon, and woodland outings gave children space to climb and act out stories in October 2023. Practical play gives Busy Bees, Anstey Park its character: everyday objects become opportunities to talk, experiment and do things independently.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its October 2023 inspection, finding effective safeguarding and an engaging curriculum that supported children's progress. The current age range is 24 to 60 months, with capacity for 36 children. Its address is The Cabin, Anstey Lane, Alton, GU34 2NB.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together, with play helping children build language, physical skills and independence. In October 2023, adults developed these strands through children's interests rather than treating activities as isolated tasks.

A pumpkin shop introduced counting, comparisons and conversations about prices. Toy vehicles prompted new vocabulary about garages and repairs. When a child wanted to make a dough dragon, an adult demonstrated how to shape its parts, then left time for the child to try. The useful combination was explanation followed by practice.

Outdoor play had concrete physical challenges. In October 2023, children rode wheeled toys down a gentle incline and painted a shower curtain attached to an outdoor fence, exercising their arms as they worked. Regular woodland outings included climbing fallen trunks and turning stories into play. These experiences connected movement with imagination.

In October 2023, staff worked with parents on consistent ways to support children's emotions. Adults modelled calm conversation, while children practised helping one another with tasks such as opening play padlocks. Independence also extended to finding lunch boxes, washing hands and putting on outdoor clothing.

At the October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children with SEND generally received helpful support and progressed well, but required broader activity planning for some children and stronger arrangements for moving to the next stage, including school. Those are important qualifications to the positive overall judgement.

Communication in October 2023 included monthly newsletters about activities and outings, alongside meetings each term to discuss progress and next steps. That gave families both a picture of daily experiences and a separate opportunity to discuss their own child's learning.

The Cabin address places this setting in Alton. In October 2023, its opening hours were 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. This was a school-term operating pattern rather than holiday provision.

In October 2023, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. At mealtimes that October, children found and opened their own lunch boxes, making eating another opportunity to practise managing everyday belongings.

• SEND activity planning. The October 2023 improvement point concerned access to a broader curriculum for some children with SEND. During a visit, ask how activities would be adapted to your child's interests and needs.
• Moving on to school. In October 2023, practical independence was encouraged, but links with children's destination schools needed more attention. Ask how staff now coordinate the transition with the school your child will attend.

Busy Bees, Anstey Park suits families drawn to hands-on play, outdoor movement and growing independence. Its October 2023 examples give that description substance, from pumpkin-shop conversations to woodland storytelling. The Good judgement is balanced by two clear priorities: fuller participation for children with SEND and stronger support for the move to school.