Busy Bugs Pre School

A tent, a pretend barbecue and children’s interest in camping shaped play at Busy Bugs Pre School in June 2022. This was learning built around experiences children brought from home, with familiar interests turned into something they could explore together.

At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good, found safeguarding effective and described children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, as secure. Busy Bugs has 46 places in total at South Wigston Methodist Church in Wigston.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children’s learning, development and care: here, the June 2022 examples included learning through pretend play, conversation and practical exploration. Children shaped play dough and paired numbered keys with locks marked with dots. These gave counting a purpose within play.

There were limits to that teaching. In June 2022, staff sometimes missed mathematical errors, including how a child used a ruler to measure a toy fish. Creative work also sometimes followed adults’ instructions too closely, leaving children less room to decide what to make. These are useful distinctions: providing materials and activities is only part of the task; how adults respond matters too.

In June 2022, staff used knowledge of children’s home lives to shape activities and positioned themselves near recently enrolled younger children at snack time. Familiar routines also gave children responsibilities, including putting toys away and returning lentils to a tray.

Mealtime conversation in June 2022 included children’s experiences of eating strawberries and observations about banana skins. Food became a starting point for talking about health. Parents knew their child’s key person, and staff shared suggestions for learning at home.

School preparation that June included visits to children’s next schools, discussions with teachers and pretend school play. Talking about uniforms and future teachers gave children concrete details to anticipate. Staff development included observations by the manager and conversations about improving practice, including mathematical teaching.

The address is South Wigston Methodist Church, Blaby Road, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 4PB.

In June 2022, opening hours were 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Children attending at that visit were aged two to four, and the setting provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These are dated operating details rather than a current booking offer.

• Mathematical teaching. June 2022 examples exposed missed opportunities to correct measuring errors. During a visit, look for how staff explain counting and measurement when children get stuck.
• Creative freedom. Adult direction sometimes restricted children’s ideas in June 2022. Look for opportunities for children to choose materials and take an activity in their own direction.
• Term-time planning. The June 2022 timetable ran during school terms. What attendance arrangements and funded-hour terms would apply to your child now?

Busy Bugs merits consideration by families interested in play connected to children’s home experiences and practical preparation for school. Its June 2022 term-time timetable would have suited families organising care around school terms. The balance to examine is between attentive adult involvement and enough freedom for children to develop ideas, alongside accurate mathematical teaching.