Bonnie Bear Day Care

Sensory exploration for babies and experiments with melting ice for older children give Bonnie Bear Day Care’s December 2022 provision a practical, hands-on character. At its 6 December 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective, while identifying weaknesses in targeted SEND support and outdoor learning.

The nursery has capacity for 42 children aged 3 to 60 months at 172 Rice Lane, Liverpool, L9 1DG. The inspection offers a dated picture of daily life rather than a description of today’s activities.

In December 2022, babies explored edible materials through touch and smell, while older children tested how different materials affected melting ice in a heavy-duty plastic tray. These were opportunities to investigate directly, rather than simply listen to an explanation. Resources were positioned within children’s reach, helping them choose their own activities.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care: here, the December 2022 examples included language through play, physical movement and practical exploration. Staff added vocabulary during sensory activities and used questions that invited children to explain their ideas.

During that month, the Early Years COVID-19 Recovery Programme brought support from an early-years professional at another setting to help staff develop the curriculum. Step up for Two's training also led to activity bags for parents, extending specific learning activities into the home.

Community experiences in December 2022 included making shopping lists before buying ingredients locally, alongside visits to a park and farm. Those experiences connected children’s activities with everyday errands and changes in nature. Outdoor learning at the nursery itself needed more deliberate planning.

In December 2022, key people provided continuity when children changed rooms through detailed handovers. Staff also gathered parents’ knowledge of routines and interests when planning care and settling. For a young child, that connection between home and nursery matters as much as the activity programme.

Sleeping children received regular checks during that month, and staff demonstrated handwashing and other hygiene routines. In December 2022, some children with SEND missed opportunities for more precisely targeted help, slowing their progress; outdoor activities also needed strengthening to broaden learning.

Bonnie Bear Day Care opens Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6.15pm. It operates across the year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. The address is 172 Rice Lane, Liverpool, L9 1DG.

In December 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation fact, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Targeted SEND support. December 2022 findings identified missed opportunities for individual support. Families whose children need additional help should make the arrangements for their child a central part of their decision.
• Outdoor learning. Outdoor activities needed stronger planning in December 2022. This matters for families who place particular weight on learning outside.
• Notification failure. Following a regulatory telephone call on 11 June 2024, Ofsted recorded that the nursery had failed to report a significant event. Families should discuss this finding before choosing the setting.
• Settling and continuity. Detailed handovers supported room changes in December 2022. On a visit, how would settling and the key-person relationship work for your child now?

Bonnie Bear Day Care suits families seeking care across the year with an early opening and evening closing time. Its December 2022 examples give substance to practical learning and continuity of care. The SEND and outdoor findings, alongside the June 2024 notification failure, deserve weight in the decision.