According to Ofsted's inspection on 28 April 2026, Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow in Bedford, Bedfordshire was graded on 6 areas of its report card: curriculum and teaching — Needs Attention; achievement — Needs Attention; behaviour and routines — Needs Attention; welfare and wellbeing — Needs Attention; inclusion — Needs Attention; leadership and governance — Needs Attention. Source: Little Bees Nursery Intelligence, from Ofsted's published record.
Inspected 28 April 2026
4 months ago
Report card — six areas graded separately.
Curriculum and teachingNeeds Attention
AchievementNeeds Attention
Behaviour and routinesNeeds Attention
Welfare and wellbeingNeeds Attention
InclusionNeeds Attention
Leadership and governanceNeeds Attention
What each grade means
Each area is judged separately. Expected standard is the bar every provider has to clear, so meeting it is the pass rather than a mediocre result.
Curriculum and teachingNeeds Attention
Below the expected standard in this area. It has to be put right, but it is not judged urgent.
AchievementNeeds Attention
Below the expected standard in this area. It has to be put right, but it is not judged urgent.
Behaviour and routinesNeeds Attention
Below the expected standard in this area. It has to be put right, but it is not judged urgent.
Welfare and wellbeingNeeds Attention
Below the expected standard in this area. It has to be put right, but it is not judged urgent.
InclusionNeeds Attention
Below the expected standard in this area. It has to be put right, but it is not judged urgent.
Leadership and governanceNeeds Attention
Below the expected standard in this area. It has to be put right, but it is not judged urgent.
Earlier inspections
10 November 2021Good
31 May 2018Good
1 June 2017Requires Improvement
26 August 2016Requires Improvement
28 October 2013Good
2 April 2013Good
24 August 2009Good
6 July 2006Good
12 May 2004Requires Improvement
29 October 2003Inadequate
On the register
Ofsted URN
EY152150
Provider type
Childcare on Non-Domestic Premises, Full day care
Ages
0 to 5
Registered places
112
Registered since
1 June 2002
Local authority
Bedford
Bedford, Bedfordshire · MK42 9XE. Location from the Ofsted register.
On the Early Years Register.
Common questions
When was Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow last inspected by Ofsted? +
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow in Bedford, Bedfordshire was last inspected on 28 April 2026. That inspection used Ofsted's report card framework, which replaced single-word overall ratings for early years settings in November 2025.
What did Ofsted say about Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow? +
Ofsted graded 6 areas: curriculum and teaching — Needs Attention; achievement — Needs Attention; behaviour and routines — Needs Attention; welfare and wellbeing — Needs Attention; inclusion — Needs Attention; leadership and governance — Needs Attention. Each area is judged separately, so a setting can be stronger in one than another.
Is "expected standard" a good grade? +
Yes. Expected standard is the bar every provider has to clear, so meeting it is the pass rather than a mediocre result. Strong standard and exceptional sit above it; needs attention and urgent improvement sit below.
What ages does Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow take? +
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow is registered for children aged 0 to 5.
How many children can Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow take? +
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow is registered for up to 112 children at any one time. That is a registration limit, not the number currently attending.
How long has Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow been registered? +
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow has been registered with Ofsted since 1 June 2002. Its unique reference number (URN) is EY152150.
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