Honeybeez Pre-School

Books, conversation and playful mathematics give Honeybeez Pre-School its clearest character: children sharing stories on cushions, testing a marble run and counting their steps between activities. These were features of daily life in March 2023, rather than a description of today's provision.

At its 24 March 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Honeybeez Good, with positive findings about teaching and children's progress. The setting has capacity for 46 children at Bassett Green Primary School in Southampton; children attending in March 2023 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing learning and everyday care together. In March 2023, staff planned experiences around what individual children already understood, with books, language, mathematics and practical activities woven through the day.

Storytelling had tangible resources behind it. Children settled on cushions with books, while staff used props and introduced vocabulary, checking understanding before continuing. Daily listening and language activities took place in small groups. This gave conversation a place alongside independent play.

Mathematics was practical: a marble run prompted counting, while older children counted their steps. Squeezing citrus fruit and manipulating play dough exercised hands and fingers for early writing. Children also had uninterrupted stretches of activity, giving them time to pursue an idea and finish a task.

Outdoor play was part of the March 2023 experience, but the learning choices outside were narrower than those indoors. That matters for children who prefer spending much of their time outside.

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified positive support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including coordination with families and agencies and the use of picture cards for communication.

In March 2023, children had close relationships with their key person and knew the daily routines. Staff encouraged kindness, sharing and turn-taking. Families received updates about learning and could join stay-and-play activities and parents' evenings, giving them ways to participate beyond receiving information.

Health conversations included toothbrushing and children's experiences of visiting the dentist. Independence received less consistent attention: adults sometimes poured drinks and cleared away meals instead of giving children those tasks. Familiar routines offered further opportunities for children to practise doing things themselves.

The address is Bassett Green Primary School, Honeysuckle Road, Bassett, Southampton, SO16 3BZ.

In March 2023, opening hours were 8.45am to 11.45am and 12.30pm to 3.30pm each weekday, during term time. An optional lunch club ran between 11.45am and 12.30pm. This was a school-hours pattern, with a lunchtime bridge between the two opening periods.

The pre-school received funding for two-, three- and four-year-olds in March 2023. That describes participation at the time, rather than a current entitlement or charge arrangement.

Attendance at a nursery on a school site does not guarantee a Reception place. Families seeking a state-school place still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Outdoor learning. In March 2023, children choosing outdoor play had fewer learning options than those indoors. Ask how activities now extend across both spaces.
• Everyday independence. Pouring drinks and clearing away meals were improvement points in March 2023. Look for opportunities for children to take responsibility during familiar routines.
• Attendance and funded costs. The March 2023 arrangement combined term-time opening periods with an optional lunch club. Ask for the current booking pattern and a written quotation explaining funded hours, meals and consumables.

The March 2023 inspection findings make Honeybeez a setting to consider for families drawn to stories, conversation and practical exploration. In March 2023, it opened during term time in morning and afternoon periods, with an optional lunch club between them. The inspection offered a positive assessment, alongside two useful tests for families: the breadth of outdoor learning and children's opportunities to manage everyday tasks independently.