A BORDERS early learning centre is living up to its name after creating a positive buzz among children and parents.

Busy Bees @ Melrose is a childcare facility located close to Borders General Hospital on the outskirts of Melrose.

It provides day care to  a maximum of 75 children up to Primary school age.

The nursery has transformed its fortunes for the better after receiving a so-so report from the Care Inspectorate after a visit in January 2023.

At that time inspectors identified that improvements needed be made to indoor and outdoor learning environments, which did not offer “a range of stimulating play experiences to support learning”.

It was noted that some staff appeared to “lack confidence when children became overwhelmed or indicated they had an unmet need”.

The report also noted that nappy changing areas were “worn and grubby in places”, bins were dirty and there were overflowing bins in garden areas.

Last year’s report rated Busy Bees ‘adequate’ for play and learning, its setting, leadership and the quality of its staff team.

But when inspectors returned for an unannounced visit in February this year the subsequent report was wholly positive.

The key messages were that children were observed to be “secure, confident and happy in the loving relationships they had formed with staff”, opportunities for children’s play had been enhanced through strong connections with the local community and that the homely setting sent a “clear message to children and families that they belonged and were valued”.

Leadership and the staff team were rated ‘very good’ and care, play and learning and the setting were both deemed ‘good’.

The report details positive responses from parents, one of whom said: “It is brilliant that the team’s hard work is paying off, and they should be proud of what they have achieved”.

Another added: “Staff are very friendly and my child loves going to them for a cuddle”.