Honey Bees Staff Day Nursery

In February 2024, animal puppets, outdoor books and a garden with tunnels gave Honey Bees Staff Day Nursery a recognisable character. Based at Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7QB, it has 81 places in total.

At its February 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged 0 to 4, and the nursery cared for children of parents working at the hospital.

In February 2024, babies had room to crawl and practise pulling themselves upright, while the garden offered climbing, tunnels and tyres for balancing. An obstacle course gave children opportunities to practise jumping and landing. These were practical ways to develop movement and coordination.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. In February 2024, play included animal puppets for exploring sounds and names, and What's in the box, a game accompanied by questions and new vocabulary. Repetition gave children further opportunities to use unfamiliar words.

Books extended beyond indoor reading corners into a sizeable outdoor reading space. In February 2024, staff used story props and invited children to join repeated phrases; Mrs Honey's Hat prompted predictions about what would happen next. The improvement point concerned some staff's activities: challenge and pacing needed attention to keep children engaged for longer.

At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that close staff relationships helped children feel secure, assessment supported their progress, and the manager and special educational needs coordinator worked with external agencies to arrange training and interventions.

Everyday independence featured in February 2024: younger children practised using handled open cups, while older children managed coats, zips and handwashing. Staff encouraged turn-taking and polite language, making ordinary routines opportunities to practise doing things independently and sharing space with others.

Families received daily updates and ideas for supporting behaviour and toilet training at home in February 2024. Moves between nursery rooms were prepared for, as was the next stage of learning, including school. Staff also received supervision and further training opportunities.

In February 2024, opening hours were 7am to 5.30pm each weekday, throughout the year. The hospital-based arrangement served parents working there, making the location especially relevant to that workforce.

At that time, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged three and four. This is a dated account of its funding provision, rather than a promise of a particular funded attendance pattern.

• Activity challenge. In February 2024, some staff needed support with the difficulty and pace of planned activities. Ask how staff now adapt activities when children need greater challenge or lose interest.
• Hospital working patterns. The February 2024 opening window ended at 5.30pm and the nursery served hospital employees. At a visit, discuss how the current booking arrangements fit your shifts.

Honey Bees merits consideration by hospital-working families who value everyday independence, language play and outdoor movement. Its February 2024 picture combines supportive relationships with concrete learning experiences. The balancing point is equally specific: some activities needed better pacing and more challenge, an issue worth exploring alongside the practical fit for family working hours.