Blue Coat Pre-School & Busy Bees
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Wotton Under Edge for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2024. Open since 2001, with 44 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Gloucestershire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Gloucestershire from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
GL12 7BDWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 23 May 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are active learners at this welcoming setting. All children learn through a wide range of sensory play experiences. They feel, hear, look at and listen to objects. They close their eyes and listen to the wind, birds and traffic during forestschool activities. Young children learn about making and popping bubbles when grating soap and 'swishing' water with a spoon. They use water from the water butt to cover the 'volcano' in the sand pit. They select from many materials that are natural, interesting and open ended. Children engage and concentrate, and talk about their experiences with staff. This helps staff to join in and extend children's language and interests. Staff encourage children's thinking, and build on what they say. They ask children to think about what may happen next and what they can do if something is not going as planned. This helps children to develop their own solutions and the ability to negotiate with friends, for example, when they want the same sheet of paper.
The curriculum sets out what children of different ages and stages need to learn.
This is further developed, with next steps clearly defined for every child. All children who attend enjoy their time playing and exploring. Children are independent and resourceful. School-age children at the breakfast club make tyres and plank jumps, and involve pre-school children in their games. This activity carries on later, with younger children developing the game. The well-thought-out routines help all children to feel safe and know what is happening next. The triangle and wind chime help children to stop, look and listen to the change that is to take place. Children wait for instructions from staff, who are positive, respectful and set a good example. Children line up sensibly, take responsibility for their own things, and behave very well.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- ensure that staff develop consistent opportunities for children to engage in independent play choices to support their learning.
- 23 May 2024Good
- 28 June 2018Good
- 14 September 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Blue Coat Pre-School & Busy Bees
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.