Busy Bees Pre-School at Flitwick Lower School

Two playrooms, a sensory area and free movement into the garden give Busy Bees its character: children can choose where to explore. This is Flitwick Lower School’s own pre-school on Temple Way, caring for children aged two to five in a purpose-built setting. Its staff work as part of the school’s EYFS team, linking nursery learning with the next stage while keeping play central to the day.

Children’s interests shape the activities. Staff observe their play each day and use opportunities within it to introduce new learning, including early phonics. Free-flow access connects the playroom and garden, so choosing an outdoor activity does not depend on waiting for a separate outdoor session. The sensory area adds another space to explore.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises learning across seven areas rather than separate school subjects. Flitwick’s early-years approach uses Development Matters alongside that framework, combining activities led by adults with uninterrupted play chosen by children. Books, poems, rhymes and songs feature daily, giving children repeated opportunities to hear and use language. Maths is also brought into everyday play, connecting teaching with practical exploration.

Activity planning. At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified weaknesses in how pre-school staff planned activities and used the environment and resources, asking for further training and better resources. For families, the important question is how an activity helps a child practise a particular skill, rather than simply whether it keeps them occupied.

Each child has an allocated key person, giving families a specific member of the team involved in their learning and development. Initial visits include both parent and child, with parents remaining on site. That provides time to become familiar with how sessions work before separation.

Starting from age two depends on the individual child as well as space. If a young child struggles to settle, the pre-school may suggest trying again later; charges for the reserved place still apply. This makes readiness part of the settling process, with a practical consequence for families paying for a place.

The staffing structure includes senior assistants with Level 3 qualifications, assistant play leaders qualified from Level 2 through graduate level, and apprentice play assistants. Staff undertake paediatric first-aid and safeguarding training appropriate to their roles. For additional needs, families can contact the school’s SEND coordinator, and the school works with parents to identify and assess support needs.

Attending Busy Bees does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Central Bedfordshire Admissions and meet the local authority’s deadline for their entry year. The school’s listed oversubscription criteria do not give priority for nursery attendance: allocation considers factors including care status, staff children, catchment and siblings.

Transition activities are a separate benefit. In April 2023, shared activities between pre-school and Reception helped children approach the change confidently. Familiarity can support the move, but it does not determine the admissions decision.

Busy Bees accepts nursery education funding for eligible two-, three- and four-year-olds. Its published funding description gives up to 15 hours weekly across 38 weeks, starting in the term following the child's second or third birthday, with 30 hours for some eligible families. Unfunded attendance and hours beyond the funded allocation attract charges. Invoices are payable in advance at the beginning of each half term, and charges continue during absence; non-funded children also have a non-refundable registration charge payable when accepting a place. Contact the school for current charges.

Breakfast and after-school care can be provided for children aged three to four. Nursery enquiries and visits go through busy.bees@flitwickschool.co.uk or 01525 719222; registering interest places a child on the waiting list.

Dress for messy play. Simple, labelled clothes help children manage toileting and outdoor clothing themselves. Logo tops are available from Prestige Design in Flitwick. Jewellery is prohibited, except studs for pierced ears.