Busy Bees Pre-School

Real fruit and vegetables in an outdoor kitchen, stories shared in small groups and a lending library give Busy Bees Pre-School a recognisable character. These were features of daily life in June 2025, with practical play and books providing concrete starting points for learning.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 19 June 2025 and found safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 30 children, with an accepted age range of 24 to 60 months, in Southwick near Trowbridge.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2025 activities brought language, counting and independence into play. Children could choose between indoor and outdoor activities, giving those who preferred being outside another way to take part.

In June 2025, the outdoor kitchen used real produce after staff noticed that children were making little use of it. Cutting with safe knives and exploring smells and tastes gave the space a practical purpose. Counting also grew out of children's interests: groups formed around favourite ice-cream flavours became an opportunity to compare quantities.

There was an important limitation. In June 2025, some group activities used language and letter or number work that was too advanced for the youngest children, who lost interest. Better adaptation to their stage of development was the required improvement.

At the June 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that speech and language were well supported, children were making good progress, and staff used advice from outside professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These findings give families specific reasons to consider the setting, rather than relying on the overall grade alone.

In June 2025, children reluctant to join a story group could watch first and revisit the book with fewer children later. The lending library extended access to books beyond the pre-school. Older children also helped resolve disagreements in shared play, while serving their own snack gave children practice in doing things for themselves.

The address is Southwick C of E Primary School, Hollis Way, Southwick, Trowbridge, BA14 9PH. Opening hours are 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the pre-school closes for school holidays. That calendar matters for families arranging care around work throughout the year.

In June 2025, the pre-school occupied a building within the grounds of Southwick Primary School. Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place: families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• The youngest children's learning. In June 2025, some group teaching was too advanced for younger children. On a visit, ask how activities now differ for children at different developmental stages.
• Term-time attendance. The pre-school closes during school holidays. Families needing year-round care will need to account for those closures.
• A school-site setting. Sharing the primary school grounds does not secure a Reception place. Treat childcare and the school application as separate decisions.

Busy Bees Pre-School suits families seeking term-time care for preschool-age children, with a day ending at 3pm. The June 2025 picture combines practical outdoor play, books and opportunities for independence. For families with younger children, the central decision point is how teaching has been adapted following the identified weakness.