Bambini Childcare

A sensory space for a movement break, outdoor play shared across age groups and introductions at home give Bambini Childcare a recognisable character. Based at St Francis Catholic Academy in Bedworth, it combines Mini Gems for two-year-olds with Little Treasures for preschool children. There are 52 places in total, with a current age range of 24 to 60 months.

At its 3 October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Bambini Good, judged safeguarding effective and found strong support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Two improvements were required: more consistent responses to children's ideas and better support when younger breakfast-club children moved into school. Those are useful points to explore alongside the nursery's practical strengths.

Morning, afternoon and full-day nursery sessions sit alongside breakfast and after-school care. Families can choose a shorter nursery day or add care around it.

Rooms and Ages

Mini Gems serves two-year-olds; Little Treasures is the preschool classroom for children aged three to four. These named rooms make the age progression easy to understand, while outdoor play brings the groups together rather than keeping their entire day separate.

Developing Diamonds provides a sensory space where a child can spend time with their key person for a movement or sensory break, using resources chosen around their needs. It gives children another place to spend time when they need a break from the main room.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, learning through play and activities built around children's interests put that framework into everyday practice.

In October 2023, children explored autumn through conversation and the feel of natural materials gathered on a nature walk. One child proposed making a rocket from those objects. The example connects outdoor exploration with language and imaginative making, although adults sometimes missed opportunities to develop the ideas children offered.

During the same month, an interest in weddings became an acted-out ceremony, with children taking different roles and guests dressing up. Independence also featured in ordinary routines: children practised opening snack packaging and pouring drinks. Learning was woven into play and meals, rather than confined to adult-led activities.

Outdoor and Community Life

Both Mini Gems and Little Treasures can move freely outdoors during morning and afternoon sessions, with outdoor provision used for much of the day and in different weather conditions. Families therefore need to plan for messy play and changes of clothing, rather than treating outdoor time as an occasional extra.

The Parent Fundraising Committee meets each term and organises events to raise money for nursery resources. This gives parents a practical way to contribute to the setting beyond their child's own sessions.

Relationships and Communication

Settling begins with a home meeting involving the manager and the child's key person, followed by sessions attended with a parent for an hour each day before the child starts. The settling week can be adapted to the individual child. That sequence gives the key person a chance to begin a relationship in familiar surroundings before nursery becomes part of the child's routine.

Policies are discussed individually at the initial home visit, with time for parents' questions. They are updated at least annually and discussed by staff monthly; families can also consult copies in the foyer or request a printed copy. Newsletters provide another channel for updates.

In October 2023, staff gathered familiar words from families whose children spoke another language at home and used them to help bridge communication in English. This was a concrete way of bringing the child's home experience into nursery life.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The SEND coordinator works outside the room staffing ratio, allowing time to observe children and plan their next steps with room staff. Regular links with IDS (Integrated Disability Service) and SALT (Speech and Language Therapists) provide routes to specialist input. Developing Diamonds adds a physical resource to that support: a child can take a sensory or movement break with a familiar adult.

Current arrangements include designated safeguarding lead roles and paediatric first-aid training for all staff. These are practical arrangements; the dated safeguarding judgement sits in At a Glance.

Road to School gives families statements to practise at home as children prepare for school. It connects nursery preparation with home routines, although the October 2023 concern was more specific: younger breakfast-club children sometimes became unsettled when leaving peers or siblings to move into school.

Sessions and Attendance

Bambini is at St Francis Catholic Academy, Rye Piece Ringway, Bedworth, CV12 8JN. Enquiries can be made through the contact form or by telephone on 02476316104.

For Mini Gems, morning sessions run from 9am to 12pm, afternoons from 12pm to 3pm and full days from 9am to 3pm. At least two sessions a week are recommended, rather than stated as a compulsory minimum. Little Treasures also offers mornings from 9am to 12pm and afternoons from 12pm to 3pm, with flexible day care alongside these patterns.

Term-time wraparound care extends nursery attendance: breakfast club runs from 8am to 9am, early starts from 8.30am to 9am, and after-school sessions from 3pm to 6pm. Children may be collected before the after-school session ends. Requests for a start date and sessions enter a waiting-list process, followed by a confirmation letter before the proposed start.

Funding and Paid Extras

Two-year funding is offered subject to the relevant criteria. For preschool children, the entitlement is 15 hours per week, per term, or 30 hours for eligible families, delivered through morning and afternoon sessions. Private paid care is also offered; current prices come in the nursery's written quotation and the price list.

Families supply a packed lunch for afternoon or full-day attendance, while breakfast and the small after-school snack are included in their respective session prices. For non-food consumables, parents supply nappies when needed, along with spare clothes and suitable outdoor clothing.

Bambini's school-site location does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Visit arrangements. The joining process asks families to book a management-led tour, while the welcome guidance invites visits without an appointment outside the busiest session-change times. Contact Bambini to agree how your visit will work.
• Children's ideas. In October 2023, adults sometimes failed to develop children's own suggestions. During a visit, ask how staff now turn spontaneous ideas into activities, especially in your child's room.
• Breakfast-club transitions. The October 2023 concern involved younger children separating from siblings or friends as they moved into school. Families using this care should discuss the handover routine and support for their child.
• Care beyond term time. Wraparound care operates during term time and does not include a holiday club. If your working pattern extends through school holidays, establish how your requested nursery attendance would fit it before joining.

Bambini suits families choosing morning or afternoon nursery sessions, as well as those combining a full nursery day with breakfast or after-school care. Developing Diamonds, shared outdoor access and an adaptable settling week give parents concrete reasons to consider it, especially where a child benefits from sensory breaks or gradual introductions.

The October 2023 Good judgement is a useful benchmark, qualified by the findings on children's ideas and breakfast-club transitions.