Hunny Bears Day Nursery

Eighteen places make Hunny Bears Day Nursery a small setting in Puriton, with capacity for children aged two to five. In August 2022, shared play included track building, imaginary parties and children helping each other with everyday tasks.

At its August 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and reported that children made good progress. That is a dated judgement. The practical offer is year-round opening, Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, with bank holiday closures.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning and care, bringing play, communication and developing independence into the day. In August 2022, activities drew on children's interests and what they needed to learn next; children chose their own play, including constructing tracks together and organising pretend parties.

Language learning had concrete starting points. In August 2022, animal names helped children explore letter sounds, while conversations introduced unfamiliar vocabulary. A story selected for the week encouraged children to anticipate events and join in familiar parts. However, some adults prepared other activities during group storytelling, distracting children and reducing their involvement.

Outdoor play in August 2022 included wheeled toys on pathways and water explored through tubes and funnels. Scooping and pouring gave children practice coordinating hands and eyes. Number work included sorting by colour and connecting dice patterns with numerals, although older children needed more practice comparing quantities and talking through simple calculations.

In August 2022, children had affectionate exchanges with staff and played together across ages. Helping a friend reach a tissue and carrying boxes during tidying gave cooperation a practical purpose. Pencil handling and other small hand movements also formed part of preparation for school.

Personal care in August 2022 encouraged independence: children used a mirror to help wipe their noses, alongside hygiene routines and discussion of healthy eating. Staff followed nappy-changing procedures. Parents received updates about learning and suggestions for activities at home, making communication useful beyond the nursery day.

During August 2022, the manager worked alongside staff, offering coaching and support. Staff understood how to raise child-protection concerns, including concerns about colleagues, and used risk assessments and supervision to manage children's safety.

The address is 3a Riverton Road, Puriton, Bridgwater, TA7 8BW. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays throughout the year, excluding bank holidays.

In August 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Before-school, after-school and holiday care also formed part of the provision at that time.

• Group participation. In August 2022, competing activity preparation interrupted storytelling. Keeping children involved throughout shared activities was an improvement priority.
• Older children's mathematics. The August 2022 findings called for more comparison of quantities and discussion of simple calculations. This matters for families seeking a stronger numerical challenge before school.
• Attendance planning. Year-round weekday opening extends from 7.30am to 6pm. At a visit, ask which booking pattern fits your child's intended attendance.

Hunny Bears suits families seeking a small nursery for children aged two to five, with year-round weekday opening. Its August 2022 picture combines sociable play, practical independence and useful parent communication. The balance to weigh is the need identified then for more engaging group activities and greater mathematical challenge for older children.