Bunnies Daycare

In June 2024, Bunnies Daycare's memory tree displayed children's holiday photographs, giving them familiar experiences to share and discuss. Based at The Old Bakery in Stowmarket, the nursery has capacity for 17 children, accepting babies and children up to 60 months old.

At its June 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children were making good progress. The practical picture from that visit was of play shaped around children's interests, with communication and language the main area needing further attention.

In June 2024, separate activity areas enabled children to choose their own play, while dressing up encouraged them to invent characters. Personal drawers gave children somewhere of their own to keep belongings. These small arrangements supported both independence and belonging.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2024 examples included learning through imaginative play, stories and hands-on exploration. Water play introduced words about size and volume, with bubbles measured in a jug. Play dough and cutters gave children practice using their hands with control.

Outdoor activity included growing fruit and vegetables; children delighted when strawberries were ready to eat. Mud offered another sensory experience. The day combined physical exploration with opportunities to talk about what children were doing.

In June 2024, staff noticed children's signals and helped those needing extra encouragement to join play. Each key person planned activities around what their children needed to learn next, and staff exchanged ideas. Familiar relationships therefore had a practical role in planning the day.

Children received help with managing emotions, and a song turned tidying into a game. Staff shared lunch with children, discussed safer eating and explained handwashing; children could reach their drinking water themselves. A cook prepared meals at that time.

Communication extended beyond daily care. In June 2024, parents felt informed about learning, while staff worked with teachers to support the move to school.

The address is The Old Bakery, Edgar Avenue, Stowmarket, IP14 2EF. Bunnies Daycare operates throughout the year, closing on bank holidays.

In June 2024, session times ran from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. At that visit, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. These are dated details of the attendance and funding arrangements.

• Speaking and listening. In June 2024, questions during group activities did not consistently stretch children's thinking or conversation. Ask how staff now develop children's language during group play.
• A small overall capacity. There are 17 places in total; that figure describes the whole nursery rather than the number sharing an activity. On a visit, ask how babies and older children share the space.

Bunnies Daycare suits families who value personal relationships, child-led choices and practical play. Its June 2024 strengths included growing food, imaginative activity and individual planning. Language development deserves attention alongside those positives: the improvement point concerned how staff extended conversation, rather than whether stories and songs featured in the day.