Our Classes

We have seven classrooms and they are set out as below.

Little Bees – 1 year & 2 years

The Beehive – 2 years & 2½ years

Honey Bees – 2½ years & 3 years

Bumble Bees – 2½ years & 3 years

The Honey Comb – 3 years & 3½ years

Queen Bees – 3 years & 3½ years

King Bees – 3½ years & 4 years

Children will be grouped according to their abilities and not always according to their date of birth. We have three terms and they may move up a class at the beginning of a new term throughout the year.

Activities and Procedures

At Busy Bees, you will find a wide range of appropriate learning materials and stimulating, high quality toys and activities that take place both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting). Children are encouraged to exercise, rest and play, contributing positively to their physical, emotional and educational development. Surrounded by their peers, they can develop at their own pace, play a full part in activities devised for their age and enthusiastically learn new skills.

Every child is recognised and treated as an individual, within a framework of the highest ethical standards and equal opportunities. We work closely with parents to provide a level of care that meets the high standards you would expect for your child.

Our main emphasis of learning will be through play but children will be taught to enjoy arts and crafts, early maths, science, language and physical development according to their age and ability.

All children are offered equal opportunities in an atmosphere that reflects a balanced and progressive model of planned learning.

Class Routines

Each class sets out a daily plan in 30 minute sections. We cover a wide range of activities, including music and movement, jigsaws, pencil control time, play dough, role play to name but a few.

For the under 2’s, we take every effort to ensure the smooth transition from home to nursery. We require parents to fill out our questionnaire in our ‘Care Plan’ thus giving us an idea of the child’s regular routines.

For our older children 2 years plus, they will settle into a routine laid out by the Leader. A copy of this routine will be available for viewing outside the classroom door.

Snack Times

The Little Bees classroom has four snack times throughout the day.

All other classes have two snacks. First snack is 9.30am -10.00am. Second snack is 12 to 12.30pm, where the remainder of the snack is offered.

Busy Bees has a NO NUT POLICY.

Play Times - Indoor Softplay and Outdoor Play

Busy Bees has two play times a day – we use a soft play room and a well equipped outside play area with soft sponge squares under the climbing frames and slides for safety.

Each class is allocated a time slot for each activity throughout the week, so your child can enjoy the full range and variety of play areas available whilst enjoying the feel of different textures and using their large gross motor skills.

Procedure for Collection of Children

Children will only be released to the adults listed on the ‘Consent Form’ that is required to be filled out when registering your child. Release to any other adult may only occur with a written authorisation signed and dated by the parent, or by direct communication with the Nursery Manager. Identification may be requested at any time from the new collector.

Hygiene

Toys are washed regularly and are kept as clean and neat. Broken toys are disposed of immediately.

Busy Bees has a cleaning and pest control contract with a reputable local company and is endorsed by the local authorities

Care and Discipline

Each and every child will be treated as an individual. The Leader closely monitors all children’s progress and welfare. In cases of ‘anti social’ behaviour, staff will endeavour to explain why such behaviour is unacceptable and will reinforce more sociable behaviour. The staff will use only positive guidance, redirection and the setting of clear-cut boundaries that will enable your child to become self-disciplined. Our aim is to encourage the children to be fair, respect property, to respect others and to be responsible for their own actions. Discipline and guidance shall be consistent and based on an understanding of the individual needs and development of each child.

Aggressive physical behaviour towards staff or another child is unacceptable. Staff will intervene immediately when a child becomes physically aggressive to protect all children and encourage more acceptable behaviour.

Professional Photographer

A professional photographer visits Busy Bees twice a year, in November and late May. Purchase of photos is optional after viewing. General photographs are taken throughout the year of all activities for the use of notice boards and scrap books and the web site.

Notice Board

Busy Bees has two notice boards situated outside the office, one for Busy Bees notices and one for the parents. The notice board is free for the use of parents.